scholarly journals Consulting firm identity: the online effort to differentiate and compete

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
John Chelliah ◽  
Samantha Georges

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how consulting organizations create identity online. Using a sample of 50 consulting organizations in Australia, the research discusses the strategic implications of broadcasting multiple organizational identities online and the subsequent impact this has on legitimacy. Design/methodology/approach – The research paper engages content analysis across a broad sample to highlight common practices of online identity construction. Findings – The analysis of the sample highlights the creation and perpetuation of multiple, and sometimes contradictory, identities for consulting firms in the online sphere. Originality/value – This research paper highlights how consulting firms try to differentiate themselves in an industry that is both highly competitive and frequently changing.

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul K. Wells

Purpose This paper aims to explain the contextual basis for examining the accountant stereotype, describe the multiple influences on its development and propose directions for further research. Design/methodology/approach This paper takes the form of a review. It discusses a research paper published in the current issue of Meditari Accountancy Research which undertakes a content analysis using the General Inquirer to identify the image of accountants as represented in novels. Findings Several issues need to be considered when examining these results. The first of these is that the portrayal of accountants in the media has become more positive in recent times. Second, the media is just one influence on the development of stereotypes; third, the media may have limited influence on stereotype formation. Research limitations/implications The findings have implications for further research on the development and maintenance of the accountant stereotype. Originality/value This review contributes to the debate on possible interventions to create a more positive image of accountants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-295
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Davis ◽  
David J. Scheaf ◽  
Eleanor B. Williams

Purpose Oppositional organizational identities are fraught with conflict and often evoke powerful social and cultural identities. Such identities may be a divisive force among consumers. The purpose of this paper is to understand how consumers construct frames that facilitate identification with oppositional organizational identities. Design/methodology/approach The authors use online reviews from TripAdvisor.com and Yelp.com of the Creation Museum in Kentucky, USA. The Creation Museum is an ideal research context due to its location within American public discourse regarding religion and science. Through a grounded theory approach of the reviews, the authors propose three identity frames. Findings The data suggest that consumers primarily construct three frames to identify with the Creation Museum: transformational experiences, interpretive bricolage and oppositional scripts. Together, these frames engender resonance and facilitate consumer identification. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to examine how oppositional organizational identities garner consumer support. Given that consumers are increasingly attentive to organizational processes and the ubiquity of information technology, which reduces the costs of information and interaction, the study provides a much more holistic perspective on oppositional organizational identity and offers a multitude of future avenues for further research.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 639-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petter Stenmark ◽  
Johan Lilja

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology that can support the process of understanding and designing for the satisfaction of high-level needs in practice. The satisfaction of high-level needs has seldom been in focus when it comes to customer satisfaction surveys or the process of new product or service development. However, needs do occur on various levels, and the satisfaction of high-level needs actually appears to have the greatest potential for the creation of loyalty among customers and customer satisfaction. The satisfaction of high-level needs has furthermore been pointed out as a strategy for the creation of attractive quality. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on literature studies and the application of the Ideation Need Mapping (INM) methodology in a specific case. Findings – The paper presents the INM methodology that could be used for guiding product and service innovation in practice. More specifically, the methodology supports the process of understanding and designing for the satisfaction of high-level needs. Originality/value – This paper aims to contribute to envisioning and demonstrating how the understanding of, and design for, satisfaction of high-level needs can be done in practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Hosoda

Purpose This study aims to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected telework initiatives in Japanese companies and investigate the factors that affect telework based on the technology, organization and environment (TOE) model, through the analysis of published documents. Design/methodology/approach Document analysis was adopted. Documents were collected from English news articles in the Nikkei Asian Review and Nikkei Asia which cover Japan's economy, industries and markets. The results of surveys by the Persol Research Institute and Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry were also provided to discuss factors promoting and hindering telework. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the documents. Findings COVID-19 had an unavoidable impact on the implementation of telework that the government had previously failed to instigate. Japanese listed companies tend to implement telework, whereas small- and medium-sized companies are struggling. The ratio of telework has been low even after the declaration of the state of emergency because there exist organizational, technological and environmental barriers to telework in Japan. Originality/value This study contributes to discussions on work style reform by focusing on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on telework. This research also gives new insight into operationalization of telework in organizations not only in Japan but also in other countries known for low rates of telework and inflexible work styles such as Korea.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeniffer Fonseca Zanitt ◽  
Izabela Simon Rampasso ◽  
Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas ◽  
Milena Pavan Serafim ◽  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to analyse how the materials selection courses of engineering undergraduate programmes can be better aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Initially, a content analysis was performed in 39 materials selection course descriptions from 40 engineering undergraduate programmes of Brazilian higher education institutions, and subsequently, Delphi method procedures were conducted with professors that teach or have taught the course and are knowledgeable in the subject of sustainability. Findings Considering the analysed course descriptions, it was shown that most of the materials selection courses do not consider or present little emphasis on sustainability aspects. Regarding the Delphi method, eight items were evidenced to consider sustainability aspects in the analysed courses. Originality/value This study contributes to the debates about sustainability insertion in engineering undergraduate programmes. More specifically, the findings presented consolidated information that professors and coordinators can use to align materials selection courses with the SDGs better.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália Peroni Pellin ◽  
Alex Weymer ◽  
Leila Andressa Dissenha ◽  
Márcio André Leal Bauer

PurposeThe aim of this article was to analyze how the presence of the elements that constitute organizational links are related to sensemaking in a cooperative system of medical work.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis was conducted following interviews with the managers of the cooperative, which is a member of the Brazilian cooperative system and one of the largest in the world. This analysis enabled the systematization of the categories that were identified through the coding of responses, aided by Atlas.ti 8.0 software.FindingsAfter the analysis, it was possible to resize the constitutive elements identified in the specialized literature into three categories: identification, cooperation and recognition. The proposed resizing does not preclude the presence of the constitutive elements identified in the analysis, but it evidences the presence of these elements in a contextualized manner, suggesting a model of an organic organizational link that is dependent on the relationship between subject–object (organization), in which the different perceptions of meanings affect identification, and this can strengthen or weaken the link in a constant process of resignification.Originality/valueWith regard to its theoretical relevance, the work helps to bring concepts related to organizational links and sensemaking closer together as a process in the realm of intersubjectivity. This provides evidence of the presence of constituent elements of ties in a contextualized manner, demonstrating that the interpretation of managers aids sensemaking in a process of circularity and resignification.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
Said Adekunle Mikail ◽  
Muhammad Ali Jinnah Ahmad ◽  
Salami Saheed Adekunle

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the utilisation of both zakāh and waqf fund as external resources to ensure micro-takāful services are delivered to underserved communities in an effective and sustainable manner. It also addresses Sharīʿah issues related to the zakāh- and waqf-based model. Design/methodology/approach The study is a qualitative-based research. It uses both focus group and content analysis approach to gather primary data and identify and interpret relevant secondary data and Sharīʿah concepts in developing the zakāh- and waqf-based micro-takāful model. Findings It is discovered throughout the investigation of attributes of beneficiaries of zakāh and waqf institutions as well as micro-takāful scheme that all share commonalities in terms of social securities and socio-economic support to low-income households in societies. The study also finds that the disintegration of zakāh and waqf which form part of the Islamic ecosystem from the micro-takāful model makes it less effective and sustainable. Originality/value This study appears as a primitive attempt to discuss and develop a zakāh and waqf-based micro-takāful model with reference to Malaysian jurisdiction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
Mónica Montenegro ◽  
João Gomes

Purpose This paper aims to introduce the papers in this issue and explain the pertinence of the strategic question. Design/methodology/approach A brief context for the strategic question is provided, as well as the issue alignment and a content analysis of the papers selected. Findings From the analysis of the papers selected for this theme issue, it becomes clear that tourism has become one of the major players in international economic, social and technological sectors, while representing one of the main income sources for developed and developing countries. Originality/value The papers selected for this issue shed light on an important problem: increasing tourist flows and overtourism at some world top destinations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 680-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Ramos ◽  
Vasco Ribeiro Santos ◽  
Nuno Almeida

Purpose This paper aims to define the boundaries of wine tourism to identify the main challenges, trends and opportunities of wine tourism in Portugal, providing some critical recommendations for those operating in this sector. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a literature review and content analysis of prior and ongoing work. Findings The main challenges, trends and opportunities for the wine tourism industry in Portugal are identified, as well as suggestions and practical recommendations/contributions for managers, stakeholders, players and marketers. The paper concludes with some key points that could form the basis of a strategic agenda for future action. Originality/value Based on the reviewed literature, some benchmarks for the wine tourism industry in Portugal were developed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Reza Bahadori ◽  
Neda Torabi Farsani ◽  
Zahed Shafiei

Purpose Spiritual tourism is a niche tourism studied under cultural tourism. Religious events play an important role in attracting spiritual tourists. This paper aims to highlight the introduction of Yazd city (Iran) as a new spiritual tourism destination with emphasis on Shiite religious events and rituals. This research has the following three major purposes to assess the motivation of international tourists for participating in spiritual tours, examine the attitude of tourists towards spiritual tourism activities and investigate the effect on international tourists’ perceptions and views of spiritual tours organized in the Muharram and Ashura events. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted in Yazd, Iran. Data for this study were collected through a questionnaire which was distributed in organized spiritual tours during the Muharram and Ashura events. A quantitative method was used and the data were analyzed using SPSS tools. Findings On the basis of the results of this study, it can be concluded that international tourists are interested in spiritual tourism activities and attractions in Yazd city, and spiritual tours can be a strategy against Islamophobia. Originality/value This research paper investigated the attitude of tourists to spiritual tourism activities and the effect on international tourists’ perceptions and views of spiritual tours organized in the Muharram and Ashura as the most important events in Shiite culture.


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