Measuring social performance: reconciling the tension between commercial and social logics

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Siti-Nabiha ◽  
Zubir Azhar ◽  
Salmi Mohd Isa ◽  
A.Z. Siti-Nazariah
Keyword(s):  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Institutional Logics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competing Demands ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Social Logics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of microfinance programs in three Malaysian development finance institutions (DFIs). Its main concerns revolve around how these DFIs measure and manage their social performance and how they reconcile their competing social and commercial objectives which are driven by particular logics. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes the ways in which the DFIs selected for this study measure and manage their social performance. The data were acquired from two sessions of focus group interviews, a series of semi-structured interviews, and extensive reviews of documentaries. The institutional logics perspective is used to explore the interplay between social and commercial logics in shaping the view and use of social performance measures in the three studied DFIs. Findings Although these DFIs have consistently offered formal microfinance programs to designated target groups, their ultimate focus has been on measuring financial as opposed to social performance. Hence, performance appraisal is mainly aligned with the breadth of outreach, rather than its depth. Nevertheless, there appear to be conflicts between the need to accommodate both breadth and depth, due to the competing demands of the two objectives. The rivalry between these two competing demands, which represents the interplay between social and commercial logics, is resolved through reconciliation, that is, by making one objective compatible with the other. Originality/value This paper examines the ways in which the DFIs in the study measure and manage their social performance, a topic that is, currently, not widely explored. This study contributes to advancing the knowledge on the link between institutional logics and organizational practices, particularly in understanding the extent to which the Malaysian DFIs assign importance to social performance when designing and offering microfinance programs.

Being “adopted” into a teaching community

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinn Bentley ◽  
Madison Workman ◽  
Alex Overby
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Mentor Teachers ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Field Placement ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Purpose In order to prepare new members of the education profession, it is imperative that teachers enter their classrooms with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to serve their students from day one. One method for preparing such teacher candidates or student teachers is through school-based field placements during their preparation program. The purpose of this paper is to describe one example of a yearlong field placement and the mentoring relationships that emerged among participants. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used the following data sources: focus group interviews among the teacher candidates, focus group interviews among the mentor teachers, field placement reflections and teaching analyses composed by the teacher candidates, and interviews conducted among teacher candidates and mentor teachers. Findings Analysis of the data revealed that the yearlong field placement promoted positive mentoring relationships between teacher candidates and their classroom teachers. Specifically the following themes emerged: the “adoption” of teacher candidates into the high school classrooms, risk-taking within the classrooms, the mentor teachers’ use of constructive feedback, and collaborative “mentoring-down-the-hall.” Originality/value In recent years, various scholars have investigated the impact of field placement experiences on teacher candidates; however, these studies have lacked a detailed analysis of how such experiences impacted mentoring relationships among candidates and their mentor teachers in a collaborative setting. This paper provides an in-depth study of the perceived experiences of mentor teachers and their candidates.

Public communication about home burglary prevention in Belgium

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Gelders ◽  
Hans Peeraer ◽  
Jelle Goossens
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Media Mix

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the content, format and evaluation of printed public communication from police officers and governments regarding home burglary prevention in Belgium.Design/methodology/approachThe content and format in this paper is analyzed through content analysis of 104 printed communication pieces in the Belgian province of Flemish‐Brabant in 2005. The evaluation is analyzed through five focus group interviews among professionals and common citizens.FindingsThe paper finds that police zones significantly differ in terms of communication efforts. The media mix is not diverse with poor collaboration between police officers and government information officers, while intermediaries (i.e. architects) are rarely used, culminating in poor targeted communication.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that only printed communication is analyzed and more large‐scale empirical research is desired.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that a richer media mix, more targeted communication, more national communication support and additional dialogue between and training of police officers and communication with professionals are advisable.Originality/valueThis paper combines two empirical studies and methods (content analysis and focus group interviews), resulting in a series of recommendations for further inquiry and future action.

scholarly journals A community arts programme for older people: an evaluation

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore Stickley ◽  
Ada Hui ◽  
Gary Souter ◽  
Danielle Mills
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Community Arts ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Stereotypes ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of a community-based arts programme for older people in Nottinghamshire. Design/methodology/approach – The evaluation was conducted using a combination of pre- and post-initiative quantitative questionnaires and qualitative focus group interviews. This paper focuses upon the findings from the focus groups. Findings – Participants reported feeling more positively about ageing and being more motivated to pursue new opportunities at the end of the programme. Five themes emerged from the focus group interviews, namely age and ageing, the finished product, new opportunities, aspirations and the future and personal benefits. These related to increased confidence, having greater creative expression, meaningful occupation and opportunities for socialisation. Social implications – The programme was found to be successful in helping individuals feel more positive about their age, to feel more confident and motivated, to engage with others through mutual creativity, as well as to challenge negative social stereotypes of older people. Originality/value – The paper will be of relevance and value to those working with older people and those with an interest in the arts. This evaluation demonstrates the diversity of the older population with older citizen’s voices being at the heart of the programme.

PEMANSUHAN UJIAN PENILAIAN SEKOLAH RENDAH DAN PELAKSANAAN PENTAKSIRAN BILIK DARJAH: SATU TINJAUAN DALAM KALANGAN GURU BESAR

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-89
Author(s):  
Kalai Selvan Arumugham ◽  
Joohari Ariffin
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Assessment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
School Achievement ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Summative Assessment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Curriculum Changes ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Professional Judgement

Abstract: The abolition of Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR) has triggered various reactions among educators. Although this agenda has been informed since the introduction of the new curriculum in 2011, educators and parents did not fully accept this. This research was conducted to explore and understand in-depth the views of school headmasters on the abolition of the UPSR and obtain their views on the implementation of Classroom Assessment (PBD). At the early stage the researchers conducted a survey to get an initial picture of their reactions to the issues and subsequently, the issue was explored in depth using qualitative methods. Focus group interviews conducted online to explore their perspectives on the abolition of UPSR and the implementation of PBD, which is now taking over the place of UPSR completely. However, with semi-structured interviews that were conducted,  the data were distributed based on the themes that had been identified. Most school headmasters disagree with the abolition of the USPR as they do not fully understand the implementation of PBD. Among the aspects that they still lack understanding are the curriculum changes, professional judgement, quality assurance, and formative and summative assessment methods. Policymakers must ensure that a deep understanding can be formed among school headmasters to ensure that the implementation of PBD can be strengthened and fully understood. It is also suggested that further research be conducted to measure the acceptance among teachers on this issue. Keywords: UPSR abolition, Classroom assessment, Understanding towards PBD     Abstrak: Pemansuhan Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) telah mencetuskan pelbagai reaksi dalam kalangan warga pendidik. Walaupun perkara ini merupakan suatu agenda yang telah dimaklumkan sejak pengenalan kurikulum baharu pada tahun 2011, namun warga pendidik dan ibu bapa masih belum boleh menerima perkara ini sepenuhnya. Penyelidikan ini dijalankan untuk meneroka dan memahami secara mendalam tentang pandangan guru besar tentang pemansuhan UPSR ini serta mendapatkan pandangan mereka tentang pelaksanaan Pentaksiran Bilik Darjah (PBD). Pada peringkat awal para penyelidik telah menjalankan satu tinjauan untuk mendapatkan gambaran awal reaksi mereka terhadap isu ini dan seterusnya isu mengupas secara mendalam dengan menggunakan kaedah kualitatif. Temu bual kumpulan berfokus telah dijalankan secara atas talian untuk meneroka perspektif mereka terhadap isu pemansuhan UPSR dan pelaksanaan PBD yang kini mengambil alih tempat UPSR sepenuhnya. Melalui temu bual separa struktur yang telah dijalankan, data-data telah diagihkan berdasarkan tema-tema yang telah dikenal pasti. Sebahagian besar guru besar sekolah kurang bersetuju dengan pemansuhan UPSR ini memandangkan mereka kurang memahami sepenuhnya tentang pelaksanaan PBD. Antara aspek yang mereka masih kurang faham adalah dari segi perubahan kurikulum, pertimbangan profesional, penjaminan kualiti dan kaedah pentaksiran formatif dan sumatif. Pihak penggubal dasar haruslah memastikan pemahaman yang mendalam dapat dibentuk dalam kalangan guru besar sekolah untuk memastikan pelaksanaan PBD dapat dimantapkan dan difahami sepenuhnya. Dicadangkan juga agar kajian lanjut dijalankan untuk mengukur penerimaan dalam kalangan guru-guru terhadap isu tersebut. Kata kunci: Pemansuhan  UPSR, Pentaksiran bilik darjah, Pemahaman tentang PBD

scholarly journals Unpacking differences in psychological contracts of organizational and self-initiated expatriates

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Yue Zhang ◽  
Bart Rienties
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Psychological Contracts ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Cultural Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Global staffing has remained a main focus within the field of international human resource management (IHRM) since the 1970s. However, research in the psychological contract (PC) of expatriates is limited. The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences in PC breach and violation for organisational expatriates and self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire was developed covering 52 organisational expatriates and 119 SIEs from 35 countries/regions working in China. Four follow-up focus group interviews including four organisational expatriates and 12 SIEs were conducted to further explain the findings of the survey. Findings The findings indicate that organisational expatriates experience significantly lower levels of PC breach and violation than SIEs. Three broad thematic areas arose from the triangulation of focus group interviews, including uncertainties in functioning of contracts, differences in job securities and career development opportunities, and cultural differences. Practical implications Employers should give a comprehensive orientation and cultural training to meet the needs of SIEs. Moreover, long-term career advancement paths should also be provided to SIEs to alleviate their vulnerability and insecurities working abroad. Originality/value The study contributes to the scholarship of self-initiated expatriation and PCs and give implications to IHRM strategies.

scholarly journals Outsourcing trust to the information infrastructure in schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 990-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olof Sundin ◽  
Hanna Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Information Infrastructure ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose This paper investigates the experiences of school teachers of supporting pupils and their apprehensions of how pupils search and assess information when search engines have become a technology of literacy in schools. By situating technologies of literacy as sociomaterial the purpose of this paper is to analyse and discuss these experiences and understandings in order to challenge dominant views of search in information literacy research. Design/methodology/approach Six focus group interviews with in total 39 teachers working at four different elementary and secondary schools were conducted in the autumn of 2014. Analysis was done using a sociomaterial perspective, which provides tools for understanding how pupils and teachers interact with and are demanded to translate their interest to technologies of literacy, in this case search engines, such as Google. Findings The teachers expressed difficulties of conceptualizing search as something they could teach. When they did, search was most often identified as a practical skill. A critical perspective on search, recognizing the role of Google as a dominant part of the information infrastructure and a co-constructor of what there is to know was largely lacking. As a consequence of this neglected responsibility of teaching search, critical assessment of online information was conflated with Google’s relevance ranking. Originality/value The study develops a critical understanding of the role of searching and search engines as technologies of literacy in relation to critical assessment in schools. This is of value for information literacy training.

Skilled migrant employees' perceptions of support from line managers

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 931-947
Author(s):  
Rosa Faaliyat ◽  
Keith Townsend ◽  
David Peetz ◽  
Susan Ressia
Keyword(s):  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
Skilled Migrant

PurposeThis paper explores the experiences of non-English-speaking background (NESB) skilled employees working in Australian workplaces, their perceptions of managers' actions and how a lack of employee involvement and participation (EIP) practices and performance appraisal (PA) is perceived regarding career progression.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research project is based on 26 semi-structured interviews with skilled migrant NESB employees based in Australia. Social exchange theory (SET) and labour market segmentation theory (LMST) are applied to help explain macro- and micro-level influences on NESB employees and their relationships with their line managers and the workforce.FindingsParticipants perceived line managers to be highly communicative and approachable; however, they indicated how a lack of EIP in decision-making and in their PA affected career progression opportunities for NESB employees. While they were satisfied overall with their jobs, the research indicated a need for improved practices and support from the broader organisation in these two identified areas.Originality/valueThere is relatively little research on how the challenges of an increasingly diverse workforce are managed, particularly from NESB employees' perspective. Therefore, this research fills a gap concerning NESB employees' experience in Australian organisations.

Digital media users and Facebook hashtags' misinterpretations

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1183-1198
Author(s):  
Umbreen Tariq ◽  
Summaira Sarfraz ◽  
Ali Abbas
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Intended Meaning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Major Factors

PurposeThis paper examines reasons of pragmatic functions' misinterpretation of three types of Facebook hashtags: long, short and multiple mixed hashtags.Design/methodology/approachFocus group interviews of 15 English language learners, who are also active users of Facebook and hashtags, are conducted. Thematic analysis is performed through the software Nvivo for arriving at reliable findings.FindingsThe findings show that unknown vocabulary in contents and lowercasing in long and short hashtags are major factors that cause misinterpretation. Also, the symbol of underscore and appropriate usage of upper and lowercasing of alphabets should be adopted in hashtag writing for the improvement in communication and successful conveyance of the intended meaning.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the online hashtag writing style by finding reasons for the misinterpretations of different types of hashtags. Hashtags have been developed for adequate communication (Livingstone, 2012), but in Pakistan, hashtags are practiced as a “fashionable” trend and thus result in misinterpretation and inadequate communication among readers even of the same background (Tariq and Sarfraz, 2018). Moreover, this study focuses on the trend of hashtagging that is common among university students and particularly second-language learners because they are active users of Facebook and adopt the latest trends quickly.

Exploring the bank selection criteria in India: scale development and validation

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 666-690
Author(s):  
Sangeeta Arora ◽  
Harpreet Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Scale Development ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Bank Managers ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop, measure and empirically validate a scale that captures the full dimensionality of selection attributes considered by customers when choosing a bank. Design/methodology/approach Focus group interviews were conducted and a well-structured questionnaire was designed. The validity of this scale was tested in accordance with the psychometric scale development procedure. Findings Contrary to some assertions in past literature, the results suggested service delivery and cost/price as among the most important determinants of the bank selection decisions of consumers. Practical implications The practical implications drawn from this study involve the seven constructs which could be adopted by the bank managers, advertising executives and marketing experts in providing good quality services resulting in overall higher levels of customer satisfaction. These decision makers can apply the constructs from the study to identify factors most appealing to both potential and existing customers and build up effective marketing strategies to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Originality/value This research paper signifies the leading studies for advancing a validated tool to measure the customers’ selection decisions for banks. As a result, this valid and reliable scale would bring standardization to research conducted in the field of bank selection attributes.

Customer perceptions of quality – a study in the SPA industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 657-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Lagrosen ◽  
Stefan Lagrosen
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Perceptions ◽  
Quality Dimensions ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore dimensions of customer perceptions of factors important for a quality experience in the SPA industry and to assess service quality implications for these dimensions. Design/methodology/approach The empirical study involved seven Swedish SPA hotels. The first part was qualitative, consisting of seven focus-group interviews with hotel guests. In addition, service providers’ perceptions of customer quality were collected through seven quality cafés. The qualitative parts were analysed with the constant comparative technique from the grounded theory approach. Based on the findings from the interviews, a questionnaire was delivered to 400 randomly accessed women. The responses were analysed with exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis. Findings The focus-group interviews showed that the customers’ perception of quality could be expressed in the following dimensions: physical effects, mental effects, pleasure and flexibility. The dimensions for customer quality seen from the staff’s perspective were treatments, climate and the SPA facility itself. The exploratory factor analysis defined the following underlying factors: enjoyment, treatments, practicality, fitness, cost and calm. The cluster analysis resulted in four groups of customer profiles: the more of everything group, the enjoyers, the savers and the fitness freaks. Research limitations/implications A limitation is that the study has only been carried out in one country. The main implication for research is a better understanding of quality dimensions and perceptions of service quality in the SPA industry. Practical implications The study provides a comprehensive insight into the dimensions of quality for SPA visitors. Moreover, four distinct groups of customers have been identified. This knowledge should be useful for SPA managers. Originality/value Only limited amounts of research have previously been carried out in the SPA industry. The paper provides a framework depicting perceptions of quality dimensions in SPA hotels.

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