Public procurement as a policy tool: using procurement to reach desired outcomes in society

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolien Grandia ◽  
Joanne Meehan
Keyword(s):  
Public Procurement ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Public Value ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Tool ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Prior Literature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue and outline its major themes and challenges, their relevance and the research opportunities the field presents. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews prior literature and outlines the need to view public procurement as a policy tool to introduce the contributions to this special issue. Findings Public procurement has been consistently used to further public policies in a wide range of fields. The collection of articles in this special issue contributes to a broader understanding of the role and potential of public procurement in delivering desired policy outcomes in society. The articles show that public procurement largely has strategic aspirations, and its potential to deliver on wider societal issues is attractive to policy makers. The issues raised in this collection of articles, however, also demonstrate that public procurement often lacks strategic maturity and critical issues, notably around how to demonstrate and evaluate its impact and “success”. Research limitations/implications This paper aims to stimulate interdisciplinary research into the role of public procurement as a policy tool and its ability to achieve public value. Originality/value This paper discusses theoretical and empirical findings that highlight the importance of public procurement for achieving public value. The special issue examines the interdisciplinary literature on public procurement and shows how it is being used to achieve public value.

scholarly journals Developing a conceptual model of influences around integrated reporting, new insights and directions for future research

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charl de Villiers ◽  
Pei-Chi Kelly Hsiao ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual model for examining the development of integrated reporting, relate the articles in this Meditari Accountancy Research special issue on integrated reporting to the model and identify areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a narrative/discursive style to summarise key findings from the articles in the special issue and develop a normative research agenda. Findings The findings of the prior literature, as well as the articles in this special issue, support the conceptual model developed in this paper. This new conceptual model can be used in multiple ways. Originality/value The special issue draws on some of the latest developments in integrated reporting from multiple jurisdictions. Different theoretical frameworks and methodologies, coupled with primary evidence on integrated reporting, construct a pluralistic assessment of integrated reporting, which can be used as a basis for future research. The new conceptual model developed in this paper can be used as an organising framework; a way of understanding and thinking about the various influences; a way of identifying additional factors to control for in a study; and/or a way of identifying new, interesting and underexplored research questions.

Crypto-currencies narrated on tweets: a sentiment analysis approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-72
Author(s):  
Saeed Rouhani ◽  
Ehsan Abedin
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Media Analysis ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Social Opinions

Purpose Crypto-currencies, decentralized electronic currencies systems, denote a radical change in financial exchange and economy environment. Consequently, it would be attractive for designers and policy-makers in this area to make out what social media users think about them on Twitter. The purpose of this study is to investigate the social opinions about different kinds of crypto-currencies and tune the best-customized classification technique to categorize the tweets based on sentiments. Design/methodology/approach This paper utilized a lexicon-based approach for analyzing the reviews on a wide range of crypto-currencies over Twitter data to measure positive, negative or neutral sentiments; in addition, the end result of sentiments played a training role to train a supervised technique, which can predict the sentiment loading of tweets about the main crypto-currencies. Findings The findings further prove that more than 50 per cent of people have positive beliefs about crypto-currencies. Furthermore, this paper confirms that marketers can predict the sentiment of tweets about these crypto-currencies with high accuracy if they use appropriate classification techniques like support vector machine (SVM). Practical implications Considering the growing interest in crypto-currencies (Bitcoin, Cardano, Ethereum, Litcoin and Ripple), the findings of this paper have a remarkable value for enterprises in the financial area to obtain the promised benefits of social media analysis at work. In addition, this paper helps crypto-currencies vendors analyze public opinion in social media platforms. In this sense, the current paper strengthens our understanding of what happens in social media for crypto-currencies. Originality/value For managers and decision-makers, this paper suggests that the news and campaign for their crypto in Twitter would affect people’s perspectives in a good manner. Because of this fact, the firms, investing in these crypto-currencies, could apply the social media as a magnifier for their promotional activities. The findings steer the market managers to see social media as a predictor tool, which can analyze the market through understanding the opinions of users of Twitter.

The disruptive and transformative potential of new technologies for accounting, accountants and accountability

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Marrone ◽  
James Hazelton
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Important Field ◽  
Key Topics ◽  
Environmental Causes

Purpose This paper aims to explore the extent to which technology and disruption has been considered within the accounting literature, to introduce the five papers which compose this special issue and to provide an agenda for future research on technology and disruption. Design/methodology/approach To explore previous works on the disruptive potential of technology in accounting, the study compares topics in accounting research articles that contain variations of the term “disrupt” with those articles containing variations of the term “technology”. Based on the method first proposed in Marrone and Hammerle (2016), an entity linker application was used to extract key topics from the top 50 accounting journals, and these topics were then compared to determine the extent of thematic intersection. Findings A key finding is that accounting academic articles featuring “disruption” are rarely linked with “technology”. The concept of “disruption” has been largely synonymous with crisis, and the crises endured to date have had predominantly social or environmental causes (e.g. the GFC and natural disasters). The literature on technology has coalesced around three broad themes – creation, deployment and protection – which have not been identified as crises triggers so far. This finding underscores the importance of the papers comprising this special issue, which explore enhanced data visualisation, blockchain and social media, as well as considering how such technologies might be managed and their potential for either emancipation or enslavement. Research limitations/implications In relation to the review of prior literature, the primary limitation is that a quantitative approach was taken. Whilst this allows for a greater sample size and replication, a qualitative thematic review may reveal additional findings. The primary implication of this research and this special issue collectively is that there is much more to be done in exploring both the potential benefits and limitations of new technologies for accounting. Originality/value In relation to the review of prior literature, no previous studies have undertaken a quantitative analysis of the intersection of technology disruption in accounting research. In relation to this special issue, these papers collectively provide a multi-faceted view of how technology can and will transform the practice and potential of accounting in the years ahead. Finally, the provision of a thematic framework and research agenda will assist future researchers in exploring this dynamic and important field.

Food cold chain management: what we know and what we deserve

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashi Shashi ◽  
Piera Centobelli ◽  
Roberto Cerchione ◽  
Myriam Ertz
Keyword(s):  
Citation Analysis ◽  
Intellectual Development ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Planning Models ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Research Findings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a quantitatively supported explanation of the intellectual development, the schools of thought and the sub-areas of the food cold chain (FCC) research to derive meaningful avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach This study builds on bibliometric analysis and network analysis to systematically evaluate a sample of 1,189 FCC articles published over the past 25 years. The descriptive statistics and science mapping approaches using co-citation analysis were performed with VOSviewer software. Findings The findings reveal a state-of-the-art overview of the top contributing and influential countries, authors, institutions and articles in the area of FCC research. A co-citation analysis, coupled with content analysis of most co-cited articles, uncovered four underlying research streams including: application of RFID technologies; production and operation planning models; postharvest waste, causes of postharvest wastage and perishable inventory ordering polices and models; and critical issues in FCC. Current research streams, clusters and their sub-themes provided meaningful discussions and insights into key areas for future research in FCC. Originality/value This study might reshape practitioners’, researchers’ and policy-makers’ views on the multifaceted areas and themes in the FCC research field, to harness FCC’s benefits at both strategic and tactical level. Finally, the research findings offer a roadmap for additional research to yield more practical and modeling insights that are much needed to enrich the field.

Anti-discrimination legislation in the Caribbean: is everyone protected?

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 779-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Stephenson ◽  
Natalie Persadie
Keyword(s):  
Minority Groups ◽  
Employment Discrimination ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Law ◽  
Legislative Amendments ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine employment discrimination in the English-speaking Caribbean by analysing evidence from jurisdictions where anti-discrimination legislation has been enacted (namely Guyana, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)). Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews existing anti-discrimination legislation in the three named countries, along with available court and tribunal decisions, with a view of determining whether the protections reasonably cover all minority groups. Findings It has been shown that, despite the existence of anti-discrimination law in T&T, St Lucia and Guyana, discrimination is still reported. T&T is the only jurisdiction with a functioning Equality Opportunity Commission and Tribunal, and where a wide range of cases has been adjudicated, relative to St Lucia and Guyana. Research limitations/implications Legislators and policy makers may wish to consider the findings of this research in making legislative amendments or enacting new laws, with a view to broadening the range of protections. Organisational practitioners may use the findings to assist them with interpreting the law (and their responsibilities to protected groups) and its intended impact on HR practice and, where necessary, make changes where current practices are incongruent with the legislation. Practical implications Legislators and policy makers may consider the findings of this research in making legislative amendments, with a view to broadening the range of protections. Organisational practitioners may use the findings to assist them with interpreting and implementing the law. Originality/value This paper reviews current Caribbean anti-discrimination legislation and cases, which to date has not been done. It highlights the omission of sexual orientation from legislation enacted across the region. There is currently a paucity of research on employment discrimination within Caribbean territories and specifically as it relates to the effect of applicable legislation. Consequently, this paper establishes a benchmark for future researchers and it informs organisational and societal stakeholders as to what may constitute prohibited practices.

Knowledge management and global climate change regime negotiations

foresight ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Zakaria
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change Negotiations ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the important factors that negotiators and policy-makers need to take into account while putting their strategies to negotiate global climate change regimes. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on qualitative research using the deductive approach. Integrating the theoretical and empirical material in the analysis is used to enhance the readers’ value and interest in the paper. Findings – Without deep understanding of why some international negotiations related to climate change have previously failed, it is difficult to successfully negotiate them in the future. Flexibility and openness during negotiations and to consider the views and concerns of all global actors in finding optimum solutions and cooperation are among the many essential factors that bring the world leaders into a compromise agreement and a global climate change regime. Knowledge management including taking into account the discussed factors may help the negotiators and public to be more prepared to understand the obstacles that may complicate negotiating the international climate change regimes. Research limitations/implications – This paper is not intended for those who have years of experience in climate change negotiations nor for those seeking deep theoretical knowledge about this topic. Practical implications – This paper has practical implications as it combines the theories of international relations with practical evidences from previous Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Social implications – This paper is an essential read to students and young scientists, as well as to young policy-makers within the environmental politics. Originality/value – The paper deals with a very important and current issue and little has been published on the process of preparation for negotiating climate change negotiation. It covers some critical issues and determining factors in such negotiations.

scholarly journals Creating public value through smart technologies and strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 438-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ignacio Criado ◽  
J. Ramon Gil-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Management ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Public Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Paradigms ◽  
Smart Technologies ◽  
Societal Problems

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue about generation of public value through smart technologies and strategies. The key argument is that smart technologies have the potential to foster co-creation of public services and the generation of public value in management processes, based on the collaborative, social and horizontal nature of these smart technologies. Understanding these processes from a public management perspective is the purpose of this paper and the rest of the special issue. Design/methodology/approach The approach to this paper is a theoretical and conceptual review, whereas practical implications both for scholars and practitioners arise from the review of the literature and the conceptual approximation to the notion of smartness in technologies and government. This approach is rooted in the potential of the latest smart technologies and strategies to transform public administrations and to better understand and cope societal problems. Findings The conceptual and theoretical perspective of this paper offers ideas for future developments. The content of this paper shows that new smart technologies and strategies will shape, and will be shaped by, the future of public organizations and management. This paper illustrates the process of change in public value generation over time, as a result of different public management paradigms (from traditional public administration to new public management), but also different types of technologies (from mainframes to websites and social media and beyond). The empirical evidence of the articles of this special issue supports this conclusion; that open and collaborative innovation processes developed under this emergent technological wave could become encouraging transformative practices in the public sector. Research limitations/implications The theoretical and conceptual nature of this paper needs further empirical research to validate some of the discussed assumptions and ideas. Originality/value Although this paper is oriented to present the main contents of the special issue, it also provides an original approach to the theme of public value generation using smart technologies and strategies in public sector management.

The sport industry in growing economies: critical issues and challenges

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Zhang ◽  
Euisoo Kim ◽  
Brandon Mastromartino ◽  
Tyreal Yizhou Qian ◽  
John Nauright
Keyword(s):  
Research Method ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Sport Industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to encourage scholarly inquiries to critically examine broad perspectives of marketing and business operations in the sport industry of growing economies. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive review of literature was the primary research method to introduce the following critical questions, “what are the major challenges in the sport industry of developing economies in a globalized market environment and what to do?”. Findings Seven articles are selected based on their theoretical and practical contributions. Originality/value This special issue is committed to trigger more investigations into sport businesses in developing countries and ultimately advancing theories and seeking solutions.

Patient involvement in Europe – a comparative framework

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 546-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Dent ◽  
Majda Pahor
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Comparative Research ◽  
Patient Involvement ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Robust Model ◽  
Potential Development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide and explain the model that underlies most of the research reported within this special issue on “Patient involvement in health care across Europe”. Design/methodology/approach – This introduction provides a literature review and a conceptual framework for the understanding of patient involvement and its potential development within health care across Europe. Findings – Patient involvement can be characterised in terms of three ideal types: voice, choice and co-production. Policies for developing user involvement in healthcare can have disempowering as well as empowering consequences. The pattern of dissemination of user involvement across Europe varies in form and content largely due to path dependency. Research limitations/implications – The paper provides a template for future comparative research on user involvement in health care and one that could be extended to social care as well as other varieties of human services. This introduction and the special issue highlights the need for further comparative research in this area. Originality/value – The paper presents a robust model for comparative research. The findings may well be useful not only to researchers but also to policy makers and analysts.

The disillusion of calculative practices in academia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Argento ◽  
Dorota Dobija ◽  
Giuseppe Grossi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Management ◽  
Audit Culture ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Complex Settings ◽  
Calculative Practices

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight and compare insights from research conducted in different disciplines on the effects of the use of calculative practices in academia. It also acts as an introduction to the special issue on “governing by numbers: audit culture and contemporary tales of universities’ accountability”. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the findings and reflections provided in academic literature on the various types of consequences stemming from the diffusion of the “audit culture” in academia. In so doing, it draws upon insights from previous literature in education, management and accounting, and other papers included in this special issue of Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management. Findings The literature review shows that a growing number of studies are focussing on the hybridization of universities, not only in terms of calculative practices (e.g. performance indicators) but also in relation to individual actors (e.g. academics and managers) who may have divergent values, and thus, act according to multiple logics (business and academic logics). It highlights many areas in which further robust academic research is needed to guide policy and practice developments in universities. Research limitations/implications This paper provides academics, regulators and decision-makers with relevant insights into the critical issues of using calculative practices in academia. Despite the negative effects have been observed in various disciplines, there is an evident perpetuation in the use of those practices. Originality/value This paper contributes to the ongoing debates on the disillusion of calculative practices in academia. Yet, positive changes can be achieved within the complex settings of “hybrid” universities when the apparent class division between academics and managers is bridged.

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