scholarly journals Alternative models of activation policies: the experience of public oriented services

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 382-408
Author(s):  
Gianluca Scarano
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Activation Policy ◽  
Implementation Gaps ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of activation policies in contexts of public-oriented employment services.Design/methodology/approachThe fieldwork was conducted in Italy, using the regional case of Emilia-Romagna as a representation of public-oriented models. The empirical research relies primarily on quantitative research methods by means of impact evaluations based on very rich and recent administrative data that includes 20,014 observations. These are integrated with some interesting insights from qualitative research tools by means of semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the fieldwork.FindingsThe overall level of effectiveness of activation policies does not seem to be particularly high. However, the results show that, to some extent, there are more advantages for job seekers furthest from the labor market. The stronger efforts made to assist those disadvantaged groups are probably related to a loss in the overall effectiveness of the system.Research limitations/implicationsThis analysis has focused on a substantially homogeneous and economically developed region. Indeed, Italian activation policy reforms have been implemented differently in different areas of the country. Similar to other Southern European countries, they are characterized by regional fragmentation and implementation gaps in activation policies.Practical implicationsThe findings of the present study are relevant to policymakers who deal with activation policies and to both public and nonpublic organizations involved in this field. It seems plausible to support the possibility that public-oriented models could represent a proficient alternative to proposals relying heavily on market-based interventions. Such evidence becomes particularly interesting in the aftermath of the Great Recession when this model is confronted with the consequences of the economic crisis.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the literature on public-oriented models, while overcoming some of the limitations of earlier research, which has been restricted mainly to cases with early traditions of marketized services.

Examining the incentives and motivations for research-based legislation in Uganda

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 60-85
Author(s):  
Fredrick Kiwuwa Lugya
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Literature Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Expert Analysis

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to discuss the factors that would increase or decrease the prospects to use research evidence in legislation in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach – Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to identify the gaps in ability to utilise research evidence among policymakers. A combination of expert analysis of five policy brief formats, 13 self-administered semi-structured interviews with policymakers, focus group discussion and literature analysis informed data collection. Findings – The incentives and motivations for research-based legislation are classified into three categories: those that concern legislators and researchers, those that concern legislators only and those that concern researchers only. Originality/value – The work discusses the need for policymakers to make decisions based on facts. The findings are a reflection of a long interaction the author had with policymakers and researchers in Uganda.

Managing new social procurement imperatives in the Australian construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 3075-3093
Author(s):  
Martin Loosemore ◽  
David Higgon ◽  
Joanne Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Knowledge Competencies ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper responds to the need for more construction project management research in the emerging field of social procurement. It contributes by exploring the potential value of cross-sector collaboration and project-based intermediation in meeting new social procurement imperatives.Design/methodology/approachA thematic exploratory case study analysis is presented of seventy-three interviews undertaken with stakeholders involved in a unique project-based intermediary developed by a major Australian construction company to leverage the power of cross-sector collaboration in response to social procurement imperatives on its projects, based on semi-structured interviews with 33 disadvantaged job seekers, 40 organisational stakeholders (employment agencies; not-for-profits, Indigenous, disability and refugee support organisations; training organisations; subcontractors; government agencies and departments; community organisations) and observational and documentary data over the duration of a unique project-based intermediary called a Connectivity Centre, developed by a major Australian contractor to deliver on its emerging social procurement requirements.FindingsThe results show that cross-sector collaboration within the construction industry can produce highlight numerous cognitive, behavioural, health, situational and affective social impacts for the project community and shared-value benefits for the range of organisations involved. However, it is found that cross-sector collaboration through project-based intermediation in a construction context is challenging due to the fragmented and dynamic nature of construction project teams and the communities they have to engage with. Encouraging people and organisations to collaborate who operate in industries and organisations with different and sometimes competing institutional logics and objectives (even if they are linked by common values) requires a set of knowledge, competencies and relationships not recognised in current global project management competency frameworks.Originality/valueThis research contributes new insights to the emerging but embryonic body of research into construction social procurement by demonstrating the value of emerging theories of social procurement, social value, cross-sector collaboration and intermediation in enhancing our currently limited understanding of the complex challenges involved in responding to new social procurement requirements in the construction industry. It explores and documents the potential value of project-based intermediaries in developing and managing the new cross-sector relationships, roles, relational competencies and practices, which are required to effectively respond to and measure the impact of emerging social procurement policies in the construction industry. These findings have a potentially significant social impact by providing new insights for policymakers and the construction industry, to optimise the industry’s response to emerging social procurement policies.

Traversing the women entrepreneurship in South Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanu Shukla ◽  
Gajendra Singh Chauhan ◽  
Saumya Saumya
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Barriers To Entry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
The Impact

PurposeMarginalization of women in STEM sectors is a widely discussed trend that has percolated into the corporate sector. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that act as barriers to entry to female entrepreneurs and to understand the impact of these factors in the context of startup landscape. The scope of this paper covers chiefly first-generation entrepreneurs while elaborating the presence of the Lucite ceiling effect. It aims to categorize and elucidate the responsible variables while developing a model for the same.Design/methodology/approachThe research is an exploratory study that provides a complex picture of how female entrepreneurs understand and experience the work culture at their workplace. The population under consideration is “urban startups”; these have been characterized as technology/non-technology-based and non-agricultural in nature. The sample in the study consists of male and female entrepreneurs of first-generation entrepreneurs belonging to the urban middle class and either founders or co-founders. The exploration presents a groundbreaking examination based on narrative inquiry and semi-structured interviews.FindingsThe research led to distinct findings that can be utilized to improve the condition of female entrepreneurs and encourage their involvement in the ecosystem. The model is proposed on the basis of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, which lead to the Lucite ceiling phenomenon. The causes ranging from family pressure to fulfilling relevant requirements such as financing the venture were classified under these. Ultimately, inferences were drawn as to how these may be affecting the growth of women in the sectors.Research limitations/implicationsThe identified intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been detailed, presenting further opportunities to focus on specific metrics by the stakeholders, namely, the policy-makers and the entrepreneur community. The study has been limited to urban startups to allow for convenience sampling, which is justified considering the issues highlighted in the existing knowledge. While this study has been carried out in the context of urban startups, it leaves scope for extension and extrapolation of the presented model in the rural context.Practical implicationsThe study presents a formally structured representation of the issues faced by female entrepreneurs in a manner which is mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. Such a categorization can, in the contemporary times, enable targeted mitigation of the same through well-planned policy initiatives and legislation. In addition, it provides a strong baseline for extensive quantitative research in this field, especially in the context of emerging economies in fast-developing nations.Originality/valueThe framework helps lay a groundwork for thoughtful research on women’s entrepreneurship. The Lucite ceiling phenomenon is a more aggravated version of the “glass ceiling”. The reasons for the prevalence of this effect in this context have not been explored before, thus providing a great scope to be further investigated.

The Impact of Entrepreneurial Behavior on Sales Volume

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Adjeng Tiara Eltari ◽  
Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Sales Volume ◽  
Entrepreneurial Behavior ◽  
Street Vendors ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Entrepreneurial Behaviour ◽  
Full Calculation ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

This research was conducted at the Culinary Hawkers that located on Highway Sukapura, Dayeuhkolot, Bandung. This study examines the Entrepreneurial behaviour which resulted in increased sales volumes. Almost all Culinary Hawkers on Highway Sukapura doesn’t yet have the entrepreneurial behavior in accordance with the characteristics - traits mentioned by Suryana, Confident, Own initiative, Have achievement motive, Having leadership, and Dare to take risks with the full calculation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial behavior to the merchant's sales volume culinary pavement on Highway Sukapura, Dayeuhkolot, Bandung.Researchers used quantitative research methods. The population in this study was 63 Merchants Culinary Street on Highway Sukapura. Samples are 63 street vendors in JalanSukapura. Data were analyzed using simple regression analysis.The results showed that entrepreneurial behavior affect the sales volume of culinary street traders in Highway Sukapura. Based on the calculation coefficient of determination (R2) can be seen the effect of entrepreneurial behavior variables (X) on sales volume (Y) is approximately 94%. While the remaining 6% are influenced by other factors such as competence, performance, and motivation.

Assessing sustainability marketing from macromarketing perspective: a multistakeholder approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soha Abutaleb ◽  
Noha El-Bassiouny
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Government Role ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe paper examines three main stakeholders in the market and their roles toward achieving sustainability marketing. Those stakeholders are consumers, companies and policymakers. The current study is examining consumers’ attitudes toward sustainability marketing and their purchase intentions of sustainable products through the use of theory of planned behavior. The paper is also examining the role of companies and policymakers in encouraging consumers to consider sustainability in their purchasing decisions.Design/methodology/approachConcurrent research study is applied, where qualitative and quantitative research methods are conducted at the same time for different purposes with equal weights. Qualitative interviews were applied with fast-moving consumer goods companies and policymakers, while quantitative surveys were applied with Egyptian consumers.FindingsThe results showed that companies are taking serious and effective steps in transforming their marketing strategies into sustainable marketing ones. The government role is still limited as there are no strict laws and regulations that force companies and factories in Egypt to develop sustainability marketing strategies. Consumers’ attitudes were highly affected by firms' sustainable practices as well as subjective norms that led to influencing their intentions toward purchasing sustainable products.Originality/valueAlthough the topic of sustainability marketing is considered by a plenty of researchers in the academic discipline, there are no studies that have combined the main three stakeholders' roles in achieving sustainability marketing in one study. The study highlights the impact of government role and firms' role on consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions toward sustainable products, especially convenient products. This was done through the adoption of the theory of planned behavior.

The impact of collaborative engagement on knowledge and performance gains in episodic collaborations

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy W. Nix ◽  
Zach G. Zacharia
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ancillary Benefits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Collaborative Engagement ◽  
Relational Outcomes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ancillary Benefit

Purpose – Supply chains are embedded in a larger network of enterprises where firms exchange offerings, often compete for the same customers, and constantly innovate to improve their performance. In these dynamic environments, firms are increasingly dependent on the knowledge and expertise in external organizations to innovate, problem-solve, and improve performance. Firms are increasingly collaborating to exchange and pool skills and knowledge and deploy resources and capabilities not found in their own firm. This research using both structured interviews and survey data seeks to determine what are the direct benefits and the ancillary benefits of collaboration. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methodology approach was utilized, using qualitative structured interviews leading to developing a research model and then an empirical survey of 473 participants who are involved in their respective organization's collaboration projects. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to examine relationships between collaborative engagement, knowledge gained, operational outcomes and relational outcomes. Findings – The results of the study indicate that collaborative engagement has a direct effect on knowledge gained, operational outcomes and relational outcomes in collaboration. The ancillary benefit of collaboration is the learning that takes place leads to improved operational outcomes and relational outcomes. Research limitations/implications – In this research study all the constructs are only examined from a single perspective. This can be a limitation as it would be of greater value to collect data from all the members involved in the collaboration. Originality/value – Collaboration has been well studied in many fields but this research suggests an important ancillary benefit that needs to be considered when deciding to collaborate is the knowledge and learning that happens during a collaboration.

Public libraries digital services and sustainability issues

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Michnik
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
Local Politicians ◽  
Physical Spaces ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how Swedish local politicians perceive the impact of public library digital services on public libraries and to discuss how this can affect the sustainable development of public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local politicians from 19 different Swedish municipalities. Data were treated to qualitative content analysis and discussed based on the concept of sustainable organization. Findings – According to local politicians, public library digital services may affect public libraries through changes to libraries’ physical spaces, librarians’ tasks and competencies and libraries’ economic situations. Based on these findings, public library digital services can both strengthen and weaken public library sustainability through, for example, increased access and expenditures, the latter of which may threaten public library sustainability. Research limitations/implications – Interviews did not focus specifically on the politicians’ views on public library digital services but dealt generally with their views on public libraries. To identify reasons for variations in views on this topic, follow-up interviews should be done. Data on views from public library managers would also be of use to determine the degree to which they are shared with local politicians. Originality/value – When sustainability and public libraries are discussed, the focus is generally on the library’s contribution to a sustainable society. Here, the focus is instead on the sustainability of the public library itself.

Evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Eastern Europe since the end of communism

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-100
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Georgiev ◽  
Emil Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Bulgaria since the end of communism. The study examines three specific areas: top management’s understanding of the term “quality”; top management’s understanding of the relationship between quality and business performance; and top management’s understanding of the impact of job position on quality. Design/methodology/approach The paper relies on a quantitative research approach by using data from a survey of 186 companies in Bulgaria. Findings The paper suggests that senior managers in Bulgaria continue to base their understanding of “quality” on a single approach (*a characteristic of the communist era), with the product-based and the user-based approaches currently being the two most common ones. At the same time, surprisingly enough, this study claims that senior management in Bulgaria is currently well aware of the importance of quality as a dimension of firm’s competitiveness, and is also highly conscious of its roles’ impact on product quality. Research limitations/implications The results of this study are exclusively based on the case of Bulgaria and must be treated with caution in the case of other former communist states from the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Practical implications This paper has relevance for both managers and companies doing business in Eastern Europe. Originality/value This is the first paper to provide detailed analysis of the evolution of the understanding of “product quality” in CEE since the end of communism. Moreover, this paper applies, for the first time, Garvin’s five approaches to defining quality within a practical context.

scholarly journals Teaching health education

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Pickett ◽  
Willeke Rietdijk ◽  
Jenny Byrne ◽  
Jonathan Shepherd ◽  
Paul Roderick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand early career teachers’ perceptions of the impact of a pre-service health education programme on their health promotion practice in schools and the contextual factors that influence this. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 primary and secondary trainee and qualified teachers who had trained at a university in England. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The teachers found the training to be a useful introduction, particularly when it was relevant to their practice. They valued gaining practical skills at university, on placement and in school once qualified. They reported that witnessing pupils’ lives in school had increased their awareness that health education is important. Their personal qualities, life experience, the school’s ethos and competing pressures influenced their practice. Teachers considered that building relationships with colleagues, pupils and parents facilitated health promotion, and that health education needs to be relevant to pupils. Some teachers expressed that teaching about health could be a “minefield”. They also discussed whether schools or parents are responsible for educating pupils about health issues and the place of health promotion within education’s wider purpose. Originality/value Few studies have followed-up trainee teachers once they are in teaching posts to explore the longer-term perceived impact of pre-service health education training. The findings suggest that teachers’ development takes place via an interaction between training and practice, suggesting that training could particularly aim to provide teachers with a contextualised understanding of health issues and practical experience.

scholarly journals The Impact of Brand Equity on Conversion Behavior in the Use of Personal Banking Services: Case Study of Commercial Banks in Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 346
Author(s):  
Thi Thu Cuc Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Customer Services ◽  
The Impact

The brand equity of banks plays a crucial role in determining customer behavior of using their services. The study aims to examine the impact of brand equity on conversion behavior in the use of personal banking services at commercial banks in Vietnam. The paper uses quantitative research methods, through linear SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) analysis, with survey data including 554 samples of individual customers of commercial banks. The study’s findings show that the bank’s brand equity has a negative impact on the behavior of individual customers. In the relationship between these two factors, competitive advertising effectiveness and loyalty of customers act as intermediary factors. On that basis, the study makes a number of recommendations to preclude customers leaving and minimize business losses caused by the conversion of customers’ banks. The findings of this study have shown the importance and impact of brand equity on conversion behavior in the use of personal customer services. These are meaningful contributions both theoretically and practically to help banks get a deeper insight into brand equity and the need to pay attention to building and developing sustainable brand equity for the bank, as well as an important basis for further research.

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