The translation and adaptation of agile methods: a discourse of fragmentation and articulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Pries-Heje ◽  
Richard Baskerville
Keyword(s):  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Agile Methods ◽  
Translation Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agile Methodology ◽  
Local Setting ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Analytic Induction

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use translation theory to develop a framework (called FTRA) that explains how companies adopt agile methods in a discourse of fragmentation and articulation. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative multiple case study of six firms using the Scrum agile methodology. Data were collected using mixed methods and analyzed using three progressive coding cycles and analytic induction. Findings In practice, people translate agile methods for local settings by choosing fragments of the method and continuously re-articulating them according to the exact needs of the time and place. The authors coded the fragments as technological rules that share relationships within a framework spanning two dimensions: static-dynamic and actor-artifact. Research limitations/implications For consistency, the six cases intentionally represent one instance of agile methodology (Scrum). This limits the confidence that the framework is suitable for other kinds of methodologies. Practical implications The FTRA framework and the technological rules are promising for use in practice as a prescriptive or even normative frame for governing methodology adaptation. Social implications Framing agile adaption with translation theory surfaces how the discourse between translocal (global) and local practice yields the social construction of agile methods. This result contrasts the more functionalist engineering perspective and privileges changeability over performance. Originality/value The use of translation theory and the FTRA framework to explain how agile adaptation (in particular Scrum) emerges continuously in a process where method fragments are articulated and re-articulated to momentarily suit the local setting. Complete agility that rapidly and elegantly changes its own environment must, as a concomitant, rapidly and elegantly change itself. This understanding also elaborates translation theory by explaining how the articulation and re-articulation of ideas embody the means by which ideas travel in practice.

scholarly journals Purchasing in service triads: the influence of contracting on contract management

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1188-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manda Broekhuis ◽  
Kirstin Scholten
Keyword(s):  
Social Contract ◽  
Contract Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Structures ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
The Social ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Formal Contract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate purchasing practices in service triads by exploring the link between ex ante contracting and ex post contract management and how these practices influence the satisfaction of buyers and suppliers (in concessionary arrangements) with their relationship in terms of meeting the needs of the buyer’s customers. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth exploratory multiple case study was carried out in a shop-in-shop context. Multi-method and multi-source data collection included interviews, documents and the contracts between buyer and supplier, providing evidence of the formal and relational structures in both the contracting and contract management stages. Findings The case findings provide evidence that behavioural standards established in a social contract are important prerequisites for the establishment and subsequent management of a formal contract. Second, this study shows that, when outsourcing core services in a service triad, a combination of performance-oriented and behavioural-oriented contract terms, covering a mix of topics related to both the customer-experience and to buyer-supplier-oriented aspects, contribute to aligning the buyer’s, suppliers’ and customers’ interests. The main findings are presented in a causal model and formulated as propositions. Originality/value This paper is one of the first studies to explore how core services are outsourced in a service triad. It provides evidence that the social contract between buyer and supplier influences the establishment of the formal contract as well as contract management, and a mix of contract topics, some related to the customers’ experience and others purely buyer-supplier oriented, contribute to the alignment of buyer’s, suppliers’ and customers’ interests.

How do social responsibility and social entrepreneurship generate value creation in pandemics?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Silva ◽  
Margarida Rodrigues ◽  
Mário Franco ◽  
Cidália Oliveira ◽  
Nuno Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
High Degree

Purpose Using self-determination theory and individual social responsibility’s (ISRs) association with pure social entrepreneurship, this study aims to answer the following question: How and why have the different actors responded to the crisis caused by the pandemic? Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research (multiple case studies) was adopted, resorting to interviewees with seven economic and non-economic actors in the Portugal context. Findings The results obtained, using MAXQDA software, show that those carrying out actions of social responsibility have a high degree of self-determination and intrinsic motivation, and are true social entrepreneurs, which lets them improve the well-being of those around them. In addition, these individuals feel good about themselves by performing these actions, as they measure their performance by the social impact of their actions on society in general. Practical implications This study suggest there is a high awareness amongst people to exercise that responsibility in a voluntary way, through humanitarian initiatives and campaigns brought about especially by an unprecedented pandemic. In practice, people joining these initiatives motivate many others towards the causes, creating the will to continue in the future and satisfy unmet needs provoked by social crises. Originality/value This study is innovative because it is related to filling the gaps identified, mainly by carrying out an empirical study about ISR, rather than that of firms, where studies are more common.

Exploiting online environment to engage customers: social commerce brand community

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-361
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Cuomo ◽  
Alice Mazzucchelli ◽  
Roberto Chierici ◽  
Francesca Ceruti
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Brand Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Communities ◽  
Online Brand Communities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Online Brand Community ◽  
Multiple Case

Purpose Taking jointly into account social commerce and online brand community, this paper aims to investigate how the growth of social commerce and the fast adoption of online brand communities have given firms the opportunity to establish a new kind of community, namely, the social commerce brand community. Adopting a managerial perspective, the research aims to identify the core dimensions of social commerce brand community and shed light on how they contribute in engaging customers and transform them into brand advocates. Design/methodology/approach Five social commerce retailers operating into five different sectors of activity have been involved in a multiple case study. Data retrieved from semi-structured interviews have been triangulated with information gathered from different sources to provide depth to the cases and enhance data validity. Findings This study substantiates the rise of social commerce brand community as a new phenomenon that differs from traditional online brand communities and provides firms with concrete support in selling activities and in managing relationships with customers. The multiple case study allows also to detect social commerce brand community core pillars, namely, participants’ identification, participation, conversation and social support. These four elements turned out to be crucial to develop an effective social commerce brand community. Research limitations/implications This study extends existing theory on social commerce and online brand community by investigating the social commerce brand community as a new phenomenon and clarifying the fundamental pillars on which it relies. Originality/value This study extends existing theory on social commerce and online brand community by investigating the social commerce brand community as a new phenomenon and clarifying the fundamental pillars on which it relies.

Social entrepreneurship and services for marginalized groups

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Kidd ◽  
Kwame McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Personal Investment ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Effective Models

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the usefulness of the social entrepreneurship (SE) framework in highlighting effective models of service development and practice in mental health equity. Design/methodology/approach – Using a rigorous SE search process and a multiple case study design, core themes underlying the effectiveness of five services in Toronto, Canada for transgender, Aboriginal, immigrant, refugee, and homeless populations were determined. Findings – It was found that the SE construct is highly applicable in the context of services addressing mental health inequities. In the analysis five core themes emerged that characterized the development of these organizations: the personal investment of leaders within a social justice framework; a very active period of clarifying values and mission, engaging partners, and establishing structure; applying a highly innovative approach; maintaining focus, keeping current, and exceeding expectations; and acting more as a service working from within a community than a service for a community. Practical implications – These findings may have utility as a guide for individuals early in their trajectories of SE in the area of mental health equity and as a tool that can be used by decision maker “champions” to better identify and support SE endeavours. Originality/value – In a context characterized by increasing attention given to models of SE in health equity, this study is the first to directly examine applicability to mental health equity.

Performance improvements in logistics outsourcing relationships: the role of LSP and customer organizational culture archetypes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Nevries ◽  
Carl Marcus Wallenburg
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Relationship Patterns ◽  
Logistics Outsourcing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Improvements ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Multiple Case

PurposeThe study aims to develop an organizational culture typology and explore how different logistics service provider (LSP) and customer archetypes interact to generate performance improvements in logistics outsourcing relationships.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study approach with 12 dyads was employed. Interviews as well as public and internal data from LSPs and customers were analyzed.FindingsThe results reveal four archetypes each for LSPs and customers, characterized by two dimensions: “activeness” and “openness”. Furthermore, analyzing the interaction among the archetypes, three relationship patterns are identified (“static”, “restrained”, and “progressive”) that differ in the exploratory and exploitative improvement outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to theory development at the intersection of organizational culture and logistics outsourcing.Originality/valueThe study provides a typology of organizational culture in logistics outsourcing and how different archetypes interact to generate improvements.

Towards ex-centric theorizing of work and learning

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 474-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Local Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Science Theory ◽  
Homi Bhabha ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
Science Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global North ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Theoretical Paradigms

Purpose – This paper aims to highlight the value of research contributions that have focused on making visible the knowledge of those historically excluded from formal knowledge-making. It identifies key bodies of theory that have grounded these analyses, and questions whether we can fully do justice to this project if we continue to rely on established “canons” of social science theory. Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews research contributions to Researching Work and Learning conferences over the past decade, aimed at identifying those who have been invisible as makers of knowledge. It then considers a body of critique that our dominant epistemologies within the social sciences are rooted in unequal global and local power relations. Findings – In the literature on workplace learning, a few theoretical paradigms forged in the global north seem to predominate. The article concludes that we need to re-centre our sources of knowledge-making to what Homi Bhabha has called an “ex-centric” site, if we are to develop more inclusive theorizations of work and learning, and more socially just ways of working and learning in the future. Originality/value – The article invites researchers to reflect critically on their use of theory, and to be more proactive in developing theories with an angle of vision outside of the geo-political centre, so as to better understand the diversity of work and learning globally.

A holistic model of the servicescape in fast casual dining

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 288-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Discepoli Line ◽  
Lydia Hanks
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Restaurant Industry ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Casual Dining ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Conducting Research

Purpose The servicescape is increasingly being recognized as a function of two distinct components: physical and social. While these two dimensions have often been studied independently, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of both dimensions simultaneously in a fast casual restaurant context. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 1,110 fast casual restaurant patrons in the USA was collected. The data were analyzed using nested structural equation modeling. Findings The results suggest that both the social and the physical servicescape can affect consumption behavior in the fast casual restaurant industry and crowding can act a moderator of these relationships. Research limitations/implications Theoretically, these results are significant because they suggest the importance of capturing a holistic account of the servicescape when conducting research on the consumption environment. Practical implications This study is among the first to examine the effect of the social servicescape (and specifically the effect of crowding) in fast casual restaurants. The results suggest that restaurateurs need to be mindful that crowding affects the relationship between social servicescape and satisfaction. Originality/value This research is the first to look at both aspects of the servicescape as drivers of consumer behavior in the fast casual dining segment. Additionally, this research makes a second contribution by assessing the effect of crowding on the servicescape-driven relationships inherent in the proposed model.

Do profitability and authenticity co-exist? A model of sales promotion stereotype content and its perception differences among groups

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-363
Author(s):  
Changbao Lu ◽  
Hang Li ◽  
Taoran Xu
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Sales Promotion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stereotype Content Model ◽  
Social Stereotypes ◽  
Content Model ◽  
Stereotype Content ◽  
The Social ◽  
Marketing Activities

PurposeAlmost every consumer has many experiences of sales promotion and different stereotypes of it. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the model of sales promotion stereotype content (model of SPSC) and its perception differences among groups.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the methods testifying stereotype content model and mixed stereotype proposed by Fiske et al. (2002), the authors decomposed the SPSC model into two dimensions, namely, the profitability and authenticity of sales promotion, and developed a multidimensional scale for profitability and authenticity. Then a survey that examined 765 participants was conducted to test the reliability of profitability and authenticity as the two primary dimensions of the model of SPSC and perception differences among consumer groups.FindingsThe model which consists of two dimensions, authenticity and profitability, was shown to be reliable and valid. Furthermore, the authors find that the profitability and the authenticity reflect consumers' evaluation (perception) of an enterprise's intention and its ability to enact the intention of sales promotion. In addition, mixed stereotypes of promotion can also explain consumers' entanglement when making promotion decisions.Originality/valueThis paper fills the gap in the existing literature of which the single dimension stereotype of sales promotion by the model of SPSC. In addition, the results show that consumers' stereotype of promotion varied in demographics and psychographic characteristics. Furthermore, this paper provides a basis for exploring the social stereotypes of specific things and related marketing activities.

Rewarding employee inventions in corporations

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Svačina
Keyword(s):  
Reference Point ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Optimal System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equity Risk ◽  
Economic Interpretation ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The One ◽  
Public Policy Decisions ◽  
Risk And Benefit

PurposeReasonable remuneration of employee inventions is a controversial issue causing court litigations among employees and employers in many countries. The paper aims to shed light on the missing economic interpretation of the reasonable remuneration of employee inventions. Specifically, it focuses on the concept of “reasonability” at the issue.Design/methodology/approachIn an empirical qualitative multiple case-study setting, the paper explores inductively Czech corporate employee inventors' remuneration systems, using typological analysis and M. Weber's interpretative theoretical construct of “ideal type.”FindingsAt the first level, reasonability is a function of multi-amount rewarding, a certain level of total remuneration and identifiable benefits being a decisive factor. Additionally, the reasonability is conceptualised as a function of two dimensions – timing/risk and benefit–reward relation. At the second level, the reasonability is interpreted as a concept balancing seven points of view: timing, materiality, equity, risk management, transparency, system costs and exactness. At the third level, the paper offers an optimal remuneration system like the one that optimises developed seven-criterion framework.Research limitations/implicationsEven if analysed within one-country and nine-company context, the insights are generalisable across a broader sample of countries with statutory rules for employee inventions. Studying more cases may enrich the findings. The findings are based merely on a rational perspective and do not deal with psychological aspects of employees.Practical implicationsThe results may be helpful for intellectual property or R&D managers in building or reorganising employee invention remuneration systems within corporations. The developed seven-criteria model can serve as a discussion framework; the suggested optimal system as a reference point. The results may serve as well to consultants, judges or other parties involved in currently growing employee–employer controversies and litigations. The analysis may fuel public policy decisions, too.Originality/valueThe paper brings unique and detailed empirical insights into the issue of employee inventions. It offers a complex multi-perspective (employee/employer) framework through which the reasonability can be discussed and suggests an optimal system, which can serve as a reference point.

Consumer cultural identity: local and global cultural identities and measurement implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 610-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuliya Strizhakova ◽  
Robin Coulter
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Identities ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Identity ◽  
Local Identities ◽  
Local Discourses ◽  
Global And Local

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a framework for considering the interplay between local (national) and global (world-based) identities and consumption practices with attention to various conceptualizations and measurements of consumer cultural identity. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper reviewing major works on consumer cultural identities and offering a framework for future considerations of the interplay between global and local identities. Findings The framework identifies two dimensions which underlie consumer cultural identity conceptualizations and measurements: first, consumer engagement with globalization–localization discourses, and second, more general identity beliefs vs consumption-based identity beliefs. Clustering and categorical measure approaches (vs a compensatory approach) are preferred for identifying and exploring global/local/glocal and unengaged consumer cultural identity segments. Research foci should guide use of global and/or local general identity vs consumption-based identity beliefs as predictors of marketplace outcomes or as segmentation variables. Research limitations/implications The conceptualization of consumer cultural identity is based on Berry et al.’s (1986) early work on acculturation and Arnett’s (2002) bicultural identity theorizing, and thus the authors acknowledge four consumer segments, those with: stronger global (weaker local) identity, stronger local (weaker global) identity, strong global and local identities and those unengaged with global–local discourses. The authors review measurement approaches to examine consumer cultural identity and determine that categorical and clustering (vs compensatory) approaches are consistent with the conceptualization of consumer cultural identity segments. Practical implications International marketers can gain insights into major conceptualizations and measurements of consumer cultural identity, and understand the advantages and limitations of different measurement approaches. The authors highlight two important dimensions underlying cultural identity that demand managers’ attention and consideration for strategic decisions. Social implications – this paper brings attention to various conceptualizations and measures of consumer cultural identity, highlighting the need to further examine differences between various cultural identity segments, specifically the unengaged consumers and glocally engaged consumers. Originality/value The paper provides a broadened lens to understanding conceptualizations and measurements of consumer cultural identity, identifying two dimensions underlying consumer cultural identity: consumer engagement with globalization–localization discourses, and more general identity beliefs vs consumption-based identity beliefs.

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