scholarly journals Operational risks and coping strategies of micro-enterprise in peer-to-peer accommodation service sector: evidences from China

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (9) ◽  
pp. 1759-1775
Author(s):  
Wanfei Wang ◽  
Chengcheng Su ◽  
Jin Hooi Chan ◽  
Xiaoguang Qi
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Chinese Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Risks ◽  
Accommodation Sector ◽  
And Coping

PurposeFocusing on the supply side of peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation service sector, this study identifies the emerging types of micro-enterprise operators in the growing Chinese market, and investigate their respective operational risks and coping strategies.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study was adopted to explore the micro-enterprise in peer-to-peer accommodation in China. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the operators' behaviors in the service sector.FindingsBased on the types of property ownership and forms of interaction, four groups of operators were identified, i.e. hospitable sharers, remote sharers, roommates and butlers. This study uncovers their operational risk factors (safety, cost, legal and social, psychological) and respective coping strategies.Originality/valueMost prior studies on P2P accommodation sector are conducted from the demand side about customer behaviors. This study not only enhances the understanding of the hosts in the sharing economy by developing a novel typology of operators, but also provides insights into the operational behaviors on an individual operator perspective.

Peer-to-peer accommodation services in the sharing economy

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 3212-3230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Kam Fung So ◽  
Karen L. Xie ◽  
Jiang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Purchase Behavior ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Repeat Purchase ◽  
Accommodation Sector ◽  
Guest Loyalty

Purpose This study aims to focus on peer-to-peer accommodation services in the sharing economy. Adopting construal level theory as the theoretical foundation, this study investigates the main and interaction effects of social and spatial distances on guest loyalty toward peer-to-peer accommodation. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a secondary source of online observational data archived on Xiaozhu, a leading peer-to-peer accommodation sharing platform in China. It consists of 2,612 observations of 1,304 unique travelers who stayed at 559 listings managed by 281 hosts in four major metropolitan areas of China over four years from August 2012 to August 2016. Non-linear binary choice panel models of probability regressions were used to estimate the effects of psychological distances (social and spatial) between hosts and guests on the likelihood of repeat purchase. The software used for the econometric analyses is STATA 14. Findings The results indicate that social distance negatively affects guest loyalty toward the listing hosts, while spatial distance has a positive influence on guest loyalty. The results also show significant interactions between the two psychological distance dimensions in influencing loyalty. The findings provide important insight into the influences of psychological distances on travelers’ repeat purchase behavior toward peer-to-peer accommodation providers. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence that supports the importance of psychological distances in forming a loyal relationship between hosts and guests in the peer-to-peer accommodation sector of the sharing economy.

Offshoring language-sensitive services: a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
Anne Kari Bjørge ◽  
Sunniva Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Total Immersion ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
And Coping

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on corporate communication issues that arise when a company offshores language-sensitive services to a country which does not have a workforce with the required language skills. It explores the consequences of adopting a total immersion policy and annual testing regime to build and maintain linguistic competence among the workforce, with regard to motivation, challenges and coping strategies. Design/methodology/approach The approach adopted was semi-structured interviews with management and employee representatives, interviewed separately. The interviews were transcribed and submitted to content analysis, supported by relevant company information. Findings The company’s language policy has generated a user environment where language proficiency is developed in corporate interaction, and where the workforce is motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Strategic decisions relating to language policy need to take the workforce’s input into account to discuss the testing regime with a view to test content and relevance. Research limitations/implications The findings relate to a limited material of 6 interviews with 14 interviewees in total. Practical implications The paper focusses on how to strike a balance between developing the skills needed to perform job tasks and preparing for new more complex tasks without demotivating the workforce. The conclusion sets out managerial implications. Social implications The paper contributes to understanding the dynamics of working in a multilingual context. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge the specificities of offshoring of language-sensitive services with regard to motivation and coping strategies have not been explored previously. The fact that the services in question have to be carried out in a minor language and that a total immersion strategy has been adopted also represents something new.

Risks, coping strategies and family wellbeing: evidence from Finland

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 1116-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marja Lindberg ◽  
Mikael Nygård ◽  
Fredrica Nyqvist
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parental Employment ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Families With Children ◽  
And Coping

Purpose As a member of the Nordic welfare regime, Finland has been acknowledged for its encompassing family policies with high degrees of parental employment and low incidence of poverty. During recent years, however, sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment and recurrent austerity measures have gradually undermined the economic security of families, notably among single-parent and multi-child families, and this has put families under increasing strain and increased the risks of poverty, inequality and other forms of ill-being. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors investigate risks and coping strategies and well-being of Finnish families with children. Family well-being is defined as an umbrella concept covering economic, social or psychological well-being and physical health. The data consist of 22 qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents from the region of Ostrobothnia in Finland and were collected in the winter of 2016–2017. Findings Based on the findings, the authors argue that the risks the families in Finland confront are linked to lower well-being, most notably for families encountering sickness, unemployment or divorce. The findings also show that parents have to employ various coping strategies themselves and that the society’s support is insufficient. Originality/value This paper, thus, contributes to the literature on the effects of austerity policies on families by focussing on the consequences on family well-being, but also on the risks that families face and the coping mechanisms they use for handling with these risks.

An exploration of servicescapes’ exclusion and coping strategies of consumers with “hidden” auditory disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 326-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Beudaert ◽  
Hélène Gorge ◽  
Maud Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Set Up ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Sensory Overload ◽  
Auditory Disorders ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is both to explore how people with “hidden” auditory disorders experience exclusion in servicescapes and to unfold the coping strategies they set up to deal with it. Design/methodology/approach Findings from 15 semi-structured interviews and participant observations with individuals suffering from auditory disorders are presented through the paper. Findings The findings indicate that individuals with auditory disorders deploy three types of coping strategies when exposed to sensory overload in servicescapes: choosing between physical servicescapes, opting for electronic devices and e-servicescapes and delegating shopping to relatives. Practical implications The study underlines how, through temporary or permanent modifications of servicescape cues, service providers give consumers opportunities to bypass situations involving sensory overload. Implications for e-servicescapes and public policy are also raised. Originality/value The findings reveal how the coping strategies used by individuals with auditory disorders contribute to their exclusion from the marketplace on the basis of both individual characteristics and types of servicescapes.

Sharing economy: peer-to-peer accommodation as a foucauldian heterotopia

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Farmaki ◽  
Dimitrios P. Stergiou ◽  
Prokopis Christou
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Interstitial Space ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Accommodation Space ◽  
Spatial Dimensions

Purpose This study aims to use Foucault’s theory of heterotopian space to interpret peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation experiences by considering the perceptions of Airbnb hosts and guests. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews with Airbnb hosts and guests of different cultural backgrounds. Findings Informed by Foucault’s heterotopology, study findings identify and discuss the spatial dimensions at the micro-scale that distinguish P2P accommodation space from traditional hospitality spaces, arguing that P2P accommodation represents an interstitial space within the tourism system that triggers a reordering of resources, skills and meanings. Originality/value The paper introduces a cutting-edge perspective on how P2P accommodation spatiality may be viewed or approached in a meaningfully different manner, particularly advancing knowledge on how prescribed roles and practices in hospitality are being redefined.

Living with Heart Failure during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382110166
Author(s):  
Alessia Martina Trenta ◽  
Davide Ausili ◽  
Rosario Caruso ◽  
Cristina Arrigoni ◽  
Massimo Moro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hospital Organization ◽  
Challenging Situation ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Negative Feelings

This study aimed to explore lived experience of patients with heart failure (HF) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Data collection performed in March-May 2020, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews on a purposive sample. Data were analyzed according to the IPA methodology, and triangulation, bracketing, journaling, and member checking were used to assure rigor. 14 patients with HF were enrolled, and three main themes described their lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: Vulnerability, Hanging in the balance, and Coping strategies. These people felt particularly vulnerable to the novel virus and experienced uncertainty due to hospital organization changes. Because of this, they felt like they were hanging in the balance, experiencing various negative feelings. Nevertheless, they managed to deal with this challenging situation by implementing some peculiar coping strategies. The COVID-19 represents a significant challenge for patients with HF, impacting significantly on their lives.

Mixed embeddedness of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Toronto

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Pessoa de Queiroz Falcão ◽  
Michel Mott Machado ◽  
Eduardo Picanço Cruz ◽  
Caroline Shenaz Hossein
Keyword(s):  
Service Sector ◽  
The Body ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brazilian Government ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Multi Method Approach ◽  
High Level ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate how social integration, immigrant networks and barriers to ventureing affect the entrepreneurial activities of Brazilians in Canada, indicating how mixed embeddedness takes place in that context.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in Toronto, through the application of a survey with 74 Brazilian entrepreneur respondents and 42 semi-structured interviews with selected subjects, thus representing a multi-method approach. The analysis included descriptive statistics from the survey data and a qualitative analysis of the trajectories and life stories of Brazilian immigrants.FindingsOur sample comprises respondents with a high level of education and proficiency in English, coming predominantly from the southeast of Brazil, white, aged from 30 to 49. The majority of businesses are small and related to the service sector. The article contributes to the literature by discussing the elements related to mixed embeddedness, including the need for cultural adaptation and for the creation of networks as a crucial element for business venturing.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on entrepreneurs regardless of their businesses sector or formality/informality status. It could be used as an instrument to support Canadian public policies for welcoming Brazilians and for the Brazilian government to prevent the evasion of potential entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe article contributes to the body of knowledge of immigrant entrepreneurship in Canada and of Brazilian entrepreneurship overseas. The results suggest factors that may be relevant to the expansion of their business, such as social networking, cultural embeddedness and adaptation of the products/services to a wider range of target customers.

“From Heroes to Zeroes” – self-initiated expatriation of talented young footballers

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birnir Egilsson ◽  
Harald Dolles
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Specific Group ◽  
International Human Resource Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Young Professionals ◽  
Sports Industry ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Sport Clubs ◽  
And Coping

Purpose The sports industry is a forerunner in the international quest for talent as the search by sport clubs and the corresponding self-initiated expatriation of athletes starts at a very early age. The purpose of this paper is to address this phenomenon by exploring the experiences of talented young Icelandic footballers (soccer players) in their transition from Iceland into senior-level professional football in European leagues across six dimensions – three individual and three cultural. Design/methodology/approach Biographical narrative interviews have been conducted with eight Icelandic players moving overseas at a young age with the purpose of advancing their career. To investigate the coping strategies applied, a purposeful sampling approach was chosen, given that half of the participants successfully dealt with transitions in their career, while the other half did not experience the same success. Findings As an overall result, the expatriate journey for young footballers is complex, influenced by many events, expectations, conditions and pressures that affect their support web and ability to adjust. Reflecting on the experiences of successful transitions, problem-focused coping strategies have been more effective than emotion-focused coping. Research limitations/implications This study highlights some necessary conditions and coping strategies for young self-initiated sports expatriates to cope with the expatriate transition successfully. Originality/value The authors contribute to research on expatriation, as this specific group of “young professionals” has not yet been addressed by the research within international human resource management. Our research framework responds to calls in the literature to consider additional stages of player development and an array of individual and cultural factors that may have a significant role in shaping players’ careers abroad.

scholarly journals The vision of bedfast nursing home residents of their quality of life and the contribution of technological innovations in and around the bed

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
I. Martens ◽  
H. Verbeek ◽  
J. Aarts ◽  
W.P.H. Bosems ◽  
E. Felix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Nursing Home Population ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Coping

Purpose Over 8 per cent of the Dutch nursing home population is bedfast, and this number is slowly increasing. The quality of life (QoL) of this population is lower than that of residents who are still mobile. Little research has been conducted on how to improve the QoL of this bedfast population, particularly through making technological adjustments to the bed and the direct surroundings. The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the QoL of bedfast residents and how to improve this through technology. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method multi-case study with thematic analysis was conducted in two nursing homes with seven participants based on semi-structured interviews and Short Form-12 questionnaire. Findings The major causes of the experienced low QoL were the limited opportunities for engaging in social contacts with others, and coping with the dependency on other people and having limited control. Participants suggested improvements of QoL through the application of modern communication technologies to engage in social contacts and to control the bed itself and environment around the bed. Practical implications The results may help improve the design of the bed and the direct environment in order to improve the QoL of bedfast nursing home residents. Originality/value The QoL of bedfast nursing home residents has not been studied before in relation to the bed itself and technological solutions that may help improve the QoL and level of control.

Employees as ambassadors: embracing new role expectations and coping with identity-tensions

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 702-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickard Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Internal Communication ◽  
Role Expectations ◽  
Communication Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Employee Perspective ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
And Coping

Purpose To provide an employee perspective on ambassadorship in the context of corporate communication, the purpose of this paper is to explore how employees relate to and experience ambassadorship. Design/methodology/approach The study has a qualitative approach, and the empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews with, and focus groups of, employees of seven organizations in both the public and private sectors. The paper draws on a contemporary understanding of identity where identity is perceived as an ongoing reflexive process in which employees negotiate and construct of their selves through relating to role expectations and interacting with others. Therefore, ambassadorship is understood as a social-identity, or persona, that is referenced by employees in their identity work. Findings The findings indicate that employees embrace this persona as they imagine that external stakeholders, colleagues and managers expect it of them. However, the ambassador persona also gives rise to identity-tensions both during work and off work. Research limitations/implications The paper contributes a novel way to understand ambassadorship as well as highlighting some of the more problematic aspects of it and furthering the understanding of the concept. Practical implications The findings highlight that ambassadorship can have problematic consequences that needs to be addressed. They suggest that the employee perspective should be taken into consideration in internal communication education and training. Originality/value The paper contributes a novel employee perspective on ambassadorship.

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