scholarly journals Acting the part: how social and organisational factors shape managers' actions towards employees with repeated short-term sickness absence

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isa Norvell Gustavsson ◽  
Ulrika Müssener ◽  
Christian Ståhl
Keyword(s):  
Sick Leave ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Employee Relationship ◽  
Organisational Factors

PurposeThe aim of the study was to understand the social and organisational factors in the workplace that shape managers' actions and attitudes towards workers with repeated short-term sickness absence.Design/methodology/approachThis was a qualitative interview study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 managers at 15 different workplaces. The analysis had an abductive approach, using thematic analysis which focused on the latent content of managers attitudes towards employees with repeated short-term sickness absence.FindingsResults indicate that the managers' views of people on short-term sick leave shift and move through several phases, which was analysed as they were acts in a play, where their given roles are prescribing which actions to take given the available resources for acting these parts. These acts depict an increasingly controlling attitude, where the sick leave is ultimately seen as an individual problem best managed by repressive tactics.Originality/valueRole theory offers the possibility to analyse managers' attitudes and behaviours by considering the workplace and the manager-employee relationship as regulated by norms and organisational factors.

scholarly journals Acting the part – managers view on employees with repeated short-term sickness absence

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Moldvik ◽  
U Müssener ◽  
C Ståhl
Keyword(s):  
Sick Leave ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Hr Managers

Abstract Background Repeated short-term sickness absence has been identified as a risk factor for long-term sickness absence. This association indicate the need for workplaces to pay attention to employees' sickness patterns and has led to guidelines which encourages employers to acknowledge frequent short-term absence so early interventions may be put in place. It is likely that employer attitudes have an impact for these employees, and for the development into sickness absence. One way of making sense of the employer relationship is to identify which roles they act upon, and how the setting influences these actions. By applying role theory, the aim of the study was to explore managers view of employees with repeated short-term sickness absence. Methods The study is a qualitative interview study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers, health- and safety/union representatives and HR-managers at 17 different workplaces, a total of 44 individuals participated in the study. The material was analysed inductively using thematic analysis, focusing on the latent content. Results The results suggest that managing repeated short-term sickness absence is viewed as troublesome by the managers and it is not uncommon to express negative attitudes towards these employees. The results indicate that the managers' views of people on short-term sick leave goes through several phases, which we analyse as acts in a play, where their given roles are prescribing which actions to take, and which resources they have available for acting these parts. These acts describe an increasingly controlling attitude, where the sick leave is seen as an individual problem best managed by repressive tactics. Conclusions Great responsibility is put on the manager without enough decision latitude for them to handle the sick leave and rehabilitation process, leaving them with the option of focusing on individual actions. Key messages Role theory offers the possibility to analyze managers' attitudes and behaviours by considering the workplace and the manager-employee relationship as regulated by norms and organizational factors. The conditions within the organization influence how the managers deal with sickness absence and have an impact on how they view the employees with repeated short-term sickness absence.

Is this mine? Psychological ownership and the social media follower

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline S.L. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Psychological Ownership ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Currency ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine psychological ownership (PO) experienced by followers of social media influencers toward both influencer and the product. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 30 respondents and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The study demonstrated that the PO experienced by the follower changes under different conditions resulting from perceived value, social currency and follower activity. Social currency plays a vital role in determining the target of PO, often affecting the narrative by the follower. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the transference of PO between product and influencer as experienced by the follower. It provides an understanding on PO that is experienced in different levels of intensity and changes depending on the motive of the follower; hence, transference of PO occurs and it is not a static.

The experiences leading to resignation of female audit managers: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurika Groenewald ◽  
Elza Odendaal
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Homogeneous Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit Firms

Purpose Considering the benefits that gender diversity could bring to audit firms, especially in a time when the audit profession faces criticism and the COVID-19 pandemic has widened the gender inequality gap, this study aims to explore the lived experiences of female former audit managers from a social role theory and role congruity theory perspective, to understand the factors that contributed towards their resignations. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory qualitative research approach and an interpretative phenomenological analysis design were used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior female audit managers who had resigned from Johannesburg Stock Exchange-accredited audit firms. Findings The female former audit managers reported their unique experiences in terms of a lack of transparent career progression discussions, audit firms being run by “old boys’ clubs” and unfair treatment linked to bias, job overload and indistinct ambitions to become audit partners. Research limitations/implications The homogeneous sample included a small number of female participants from a limited number of audit firms. Originality/value The findings could inform audit firms how to address the factors contributing to female audit managers’ resignations and to challenge stereotypes to retain more women for promotion to audit partner-level, thereby capitalising on the benefits of a diversified management structure that could lead to higher quality audits and address gender inequality.

The social media use of Muslim women in the Arabian Peninsula: insights into self-protective information behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Buchanan ◽  
Zamzam Husain
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Small World ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

PurposeThe purpose is to provide insight into the social media related information behaviours of Muslim women within Arab society, and to explore issues of societal constraint and control, and impact on behaviours.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted semi-structured interviews with Muslim women resident within the capital city of a nation within the Arabian Peninsula.FindingsSocial media provides the study participants' with an important source of information and social connection, and medium for personal expression. However, use is constrained within sociocultural boundaries, and monitored by husbands and/or male relatives. Pseudonym accounts and carefully managed privacy settings are used to circumvent boundaries and pursue needs, but not without risk of social transgression. The authors provide evidence of systematic marginalisation, but also of resilience and agency to overcome. Self-protective acts of secrecy and deception are employed to not only cope with small world life, but to also circumvent boundaries and move between social and information worlds.Research limitations/implicationsFindings should not be considered representative of Muslim women as a whole as Muslim women are not a homogenous group, and Arabian Peninsula nations variously more conservative or liberal than others.Practical implicationsFindings contribute to the authors’ practical and conceptual understanding of digital literacy with implications for education programmes including social, moral and intellectual aspects.Originality/valueFindings contribute to conceptual and practical understanding of information poverty, evidencing structural inequalities as a major contributory factor, and that self-protective information behaviours, often considered reductive, can also be expansive in nature.

scholarly journals Collaborative procurement and private-sector housebuilding and refurbishment works

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-717
Author(s):  
Glenn Costin ◽  
Akari Nakai Kidd ◽  
Timothy Simon ◽  
David John Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Design Stage ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
Social Constructs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Regional Area ◽  
The Social ◽  
Procurement Procedure ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Framed as a pilot study, the purpose of this paper is to study the perceived appropriateness of an existing collaborative procurement procedure (CPP) framework from the housebuilder’s perspective, seeking to improve its utility and stimulate further exploration. Design/methodology/approach Informed by an existing CPP framework and conducted by a UK-based development professional, four in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with senior housebuilding practitioners from London and surrounding counties. A qualitative analysis was then conducted for this sociological study. Findings Perceived appropriateness of the framework was high; however, a number of procedural improvements were identified, along with limitations. Future studies are recommended including the influence upon project performance of groundworker integration at the design stage. Research limitations/implications Limited to four interviews from one regional area, the study provides an initial insight into the appropriateness of an existing CPP framework. Insights into why CP uptake is marginal within housebuilding were also gained. The research purpose was achieved but by offering a self-reflection upon practice (vis-à-vis wider generalisations), the findings provide a springboard for further studies. Practical implications The research identifies with current practice, industry perceptions and paths towards improving the utility of the CPP framework. Social implications This study offers insights into the perceptions of private housebuilding practitioners of their own practices and the factors they find challenging within the social constructs of their industry. Originality/value This research constitutes one of the first studies in the UK to examine the CPP framework from the perspective of the private housebuilder and is undertaken with the express purpose of furthering that framework’s utility.

scholarly journals Solving design management problems using lean design management: the role of trust

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1387-1405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petteri Uusitalo ◽  
Olli Seppänen ◽  
Antti Peltokorpi ◽  
Hylton Olivieri
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information Flow ◽  
Interpersonal Trust ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Domain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Management Problems

Purpose Although prior studies have noted the importance of trust for project performance, research remains scant on describing the role of trust when using lean design management (LDM) in projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between LDM and interpersonal trust in solving construction projects’ design management problems. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was conducted that included 29 trust- and LDM-themed semi-structured interviews in the USA (California), Brazil and Finland; 11 focus group discussions were also organized to validate the interview findings. Findings The study reveals how LDM contributes to solving design management problems through two distinct but interconnected mechanisms: improved information flow; and improved trust among project team members. A conceptual framework was crafted to illustrate the mechanisms in building trust by means of the social domain of LDM concepts. Research limitations/implications The conceptual framework requires testing through an international survey or through multiple case studies. Practical implications The results indicate that design management would benefit from trustful environments and that trust may be the catalyst for actors’ engagement with LDM. Managers in charge of design within projects can use the conceptual framework when selecting the appropriate LDM tools, which should include both the social and technical domains. Originality/value The study emphasizes the importance of the social domain of LDM concepts. Previous studies have focussed on information flow aspects of LDM but have overlooked the value of interpersonal trust in solving design management problems.

Noticing the unusual: a self-prompt strategy for adults with autism

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Silver ◽  
Sarah Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Social Understanding ◽  
Social Judgments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
The Social

Purpose – There is a substantial lack of research focusing on how to support the social understanding of high-functioning adults with autism (HFA). The perspectives of three adults with HFA were used to develop and implement self-prompt systems to increase knowledge and awareness of social situations. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews and diaries were used to support individuals to reflect on video-based and real-life social situations, within a qualitative participatory case study design. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings – Participants developed and used a self-prompt system to support their social understanding in a range of situations. “Noticing the unusual” in social situations, consideration of the potential impact of others’ behavior on them personally, and guessing the intention of others were identified as useful strategies. Basing social judgments on the facial expressions of others was not useful. Research limitations/implications – This was a small-scale study with only three high-functioning participants and so the research needs to be extended to a wider group. Practical implications – There is considerable potential for this approach to be used with adults accessing support services because the strategies identified can be easily applied and personalized. Social implications – Independent, unplanned use of the self-prompt strategy enabled participants to reduce dependence on others in social situations through supporting their independent thinking and actions. Originality/value – This study moves away from a deficit-focussed model of intervention to one that seeks to uncover strengths in order to empower individuals to use their existing knowledge.

A problem-solving routine for improving hospital operations

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manimay Ghosh ◽  
Durward K Sobek II
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Process Improvement ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Improve Patient Care ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospital Operations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically why a systematic problem-solving routine can play an important role in the process improvement efforts of hospitals. Design/methodology/approach – Data on 18 process improvement cases were collected through semi-structured interviews, reports and other documents, and artifacts associated with the cases. The data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings – Adherence to all the steps of the problem-solving routine correlated to greater degrees of improvement across the sample. Analysis resulted in two models. The first partially explains why hospital workers tended to enact short-term solutions when faced with process-related problems; and tended not seek longer-term solutions that prevent problems from recurring. The second model highlights a set of self-reinforcing behaviors that are more likely to address problem recurrence and result in sustained process improvement. Research limitations/implications – The study was conducted in one hospital setting. Practical implications – Hospital managers can improve patient care and increase operational efficiency by adopting and diffusing problem-solving routines that embody three key characteristics. Originality/value – This paper offers new insights on why caregivers adopt short-term approaches to problem solving. Three characteristics of an effective problem-solving routine in a healthcare setting are proposed.

Manager-employee psychological contracts: enter the smartphone

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Obushenkova ◽  
Barbara Plester ◽  
Nigel Haworth
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Psychological Contracts ◽  
Psychological Climate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contract Formation ◽  
Development Change ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Employee Relationship ◽  
User Device

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how company-provided smartphones and user-device attachment influence the psychological contract between employees and managers in terms of connectivity expectations and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using qualitative semi-structured interviews with 28 participants from four organizations. Findings The study showed that when organizations provide smartphones to their employees, the smartphones become a part of the manager-employee relationship through user-device attachment and this can change connectivity expectations for both employees and managers. Research limitations/implications Due to participant numbers, these findings may not be generalizable to all employees and managers who receive company smartphones. However, the authors have important implications for theory. The smartphone influence on the psychological climate and its role as a signal for workplace expectations suggest that mobile information and communication technology devices must be considered in psychological contract formation, development, change and breach. Practical implications The perceived expectations can lead to hyper-connectivity which can have a number of negative performance and health outcomes such as technostress, burnout, absenteeism and work-life conflict. Social implications Smartphone usage and user-device attachment have the potential to redefine human relations by encouraging and normalizing hyper-connected relationships. Originality/value This study makes an original contribution to psychological contract theory by showing that smartphones and attachment to these devices create perceived expectations to stay connected to work and create negative outcomes, especially for managers.

scholarly journals How entrepreneurs think: financial decisions for the long or short term

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Debrulle ◽  
Johan Maes ◽  
Elliroma Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
Start Up ◽  
New Business

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to suggest that different start-up motivations make entrepreneurs pursue different kinds of new business performance, which in this study are expressed in financial terms (i.e. return on assets). The authors posit that so-called extrinsic motivation urges entrepreneurs to be more short-term oriented, while their intrinsic motivation encourages a longer-term business vision. Additionally, this paper explores how intrinsic and extrinsic entrepreneurship motivations combine and produce financial dilemmas for entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach The analyses are based on 300 entrepreneurs across diverse industries in Belgium. Data was collected for this study through structured interviews with entrepreneurs combined with a company questionnaire. Financial data was obtained through a government database. Findings Results confirm that extrinsic entrepreneurship motivation boosts new business short-term financial performance, whereas intrinsic motivation contributes to the firm’s longer-term financial returns. This paper also shows that a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations directs entrepreneurs toward different profitability levels during the organization’s survival and early-establishment phase. Originality/value Research on entrepreneurship has not yet corroborated that motivations can be personally conflicting, thereby saddling the entrepreneur with dilemmas that may manifest into different levels of business performance.

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