The challenges of introducing internal social media – the coordinators’ roles and perceptions

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibeke Thøis Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Internal Social Media ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges associated with introducing internal social media (ISM) into organizations in order to help them reap the benefits of coworker communication on ISM. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on an exploratory study in ten organizations. The data were collected in semi-structured interviews with ISM coordinators in Spring 2014. Findings According to the ISM coordinators, four challenges were associated with introducing ISM: coworkers could perceive communication on ISM as not work related; coworkers might not understand the informal nature of communication on ISM, and self-censorship might stop them communicating on ISM; ISM was not considered a “natural” part of the daily routines in the organizations; and top managers mainly supported ISM in words, not in action. Research limitations/implications The study is based on the perceptions of ISM coordinators. Further research is called for to explore both coworker perceptions and actual communication on ISM. Practical implications Practitioners introducing ISM should be aware of these four challenges, and should help coworkers to make sense of communication on ISM as work-related communication among coworkers. ISM coordinators’ perceptions of their own role in relation to coworker communication on ISM make a difference. Originality/value The study provides insights into the key challenges associated with introducing ISM, as well as the role of ISM coordinators as community facilitators and sense-givers.

From campfire to coliseum: motivations for using social networks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Castro Pires de Souza Chimenti ◽  
Marco Aurelio de Souza Rodrigues ◽  
Marcelo Guedes Carneiro ◽  
Roberta Dias Campos
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Collective Narrative

Purpose Through a literature review, a gap has been identified regarding the role of competition as a driver of social network (SN) usage. This study aims to design to address this gap, seeking motivators for SN usage based on how SN consumption may be related to users’ experience of competition. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of competition in social media usage. Design/methodology/approach The authors used an exploratory qualitative approach, conducting a set of focus groups with young social media users. Data was analyzed with software. Findings Two new drivers for SN use are proposed, namely, competition and collective narrative. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study, and it does not seek to generalize results or quantify causal relationships among variables. Practical implications This paper offers SN managers a deeper understanding of key growth drivers for these media. Social implications This research can help society understand and debate the impacts of SNs on users’ lives, providing insights into drivers of excessive usage. Originality/value This paper proposes the following two SN usage drivers yet to be described in the literature: competition and collective narrative.

scholarly journals IMC, social media and UK fashion micro-organisations

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 668-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Elisabeth Henninger ◽  
Panayiota J. Alevizou ◽  
Caroline J. Oates
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Integrated Marketing Communications ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Integrated Marketing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the practical applicability of integrated marketing communications (IMC) to micro-organisations operating in the UK’s fashion industry, focusing specifically on the use of online platforms. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative methodological tools including semi-structured interviews, semiotics, Twitterfeed and Facebook analysis are used to examine to what extent micro-organisations apply IMC. Findings The findings suggest that these micro-organisations have a limited understanding of IMC. Although they utilise various channels, including social media, there is a disconnect between reaching the audience, understanding their needs and linking these aspects. External factors influence the use of various communication channels, leading to further fragmentation of sent messages. Research limitations/implications This research focuses on five micro-organisations within the fashion industry and thus may be seen as limited in nature. Whilst implications of the findings are discussed in terms of their impact to the wider industry and other sectors, this needs to be further researched. Practical implications Micro-organisations are underdeveloped in terms of both IMC and social media and require practical advice. Originality/value This study investigates two under-researched areas, IMC in micro-organisations and the use of social media within IMC, thereby moving forward our understanding of IMC in practice.

Budget preparers’ perceptions and performance-based budgeting implementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Jalali Aliabadi ◽  
Bita Mashayekhi ◽  
Graham Gal
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Loose Coupling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Organizational Processes ◽  
Budgetary Slack ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Budgeting Process

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the reason for the failure of implementing performance-based budgeting (PBB) at Iranian public universities and research institutes (PURI). This examination focuses on the actors participating in the budget processes and their perceptions.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses grounded theory and employs deep semi-structured interviews of budget preparers at Iranian PURI.FindingsThe results indicate a loose coupling between perceived and regulated budgeting process. This leads to budgetary slack as a barrier for authentic information flow and indeed PBB implementation. In the analysis of the results, the authors suggest some ways to improve the current situation of the budgeting processes at Iranian PURI.Practical implicationsPublic organizations that desire to transform their budgeting system need to consider their actors’ perceptions regarding the budgeting process. By explicitly considering their perceptions the organization may be able to solve any loose coupling as a result of internal, external and behavioral conditions.Originality/valueThis research examines issues that arise in the transformation of organizational processes. The focus on budget processes is critical for organizations which receive most, if not all, of their operational funds from a central authority. This research highlights the role of budget actors’ perceptions in transforming the budgeting process. An important result of this analysis is documenting the existence of loose coupling in the current budgeting process at Iranian PURI. This loose coupling results in slack creation and restricts the implementation of a PBB system. Additionally, this loose coupling limits the flow of authentic information.

Step-by-step to stopping the cyber-bully

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 31-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Zero Tolerance ◽  
Job Design ◽  
Cyber Bullying ◽  
Traditional Bullying ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Zero Tolerance Policy ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Describes the role of HR in addressing traditional bullying and cyber-bullying at the workplace. Design/methodology/approach – Explains how organizations can design policy guidelines to tackle the issue of bullying and, thereby, help every employee to contribute to his or her best ability. Findings – Argues that the proliferation of electronic communication has made cyber-bullying rampant in workplaces and has devastating effects on some employees. Practical implications – Advances the view that creating a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, using technological help, conducting structured interviews, providing an employee-sensitization program, crafting effective job design and, from time to time, taking employees’ opinion can go a long way in ensuring a safe workplace for all. Social implications – Shows that bullying in any form is a social menace both for employees and the organization, and it needs to be nipped in the bud. Originality/value – Provides insights into how organizations can effectively address the issue of bullying at the workplace.

Divergent attitudes to social media governance

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Promotion Focus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Prevention and promotion foci were both observed among managers and differed per communication model. Managers who used dialogic models of communication were primarily promotion-focused and emphasized opportunities to improve stakeholder relations, while managers who used one-way models were primarily prevention-focused and highlighted the risks of social media (e.g. the risk of employees publishing messages that contradict corporate communication and confuse stakeholders). Social media governance differed depending on regulatory focus. In the prevention scheme, managers usually attempted to regain control by restricting social media to private use only, while in the promotion focus managers trained and facilitated employees for work-related social media use, to various extents. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Designing a memorable in-store customer shopping experience: practical evidence from sports equipment retailers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Bonfanti ◽  
Georgia Yfantidou
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
Retail Managers ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to detect the dimensions of the in-store customer shopping experience from the sports retailer perspective and to investigate how the role of sports equipment stores is changing.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study performs semi-structured interviews with retail managers of sports equipment stores.FindingsThis research reveals the importance of the dimensions of immersive design, sensorial ambient elements, social relationships, trialability and real experience sharing in designing a memorable in-store shopping experience in sports stores, and it highlights that the store's role in the sports context is transitioning from sales space to an interactive, immersive, engaging and convivial place. It proposes a model to design the in-store customer shopping experience effectively.Practical implicationsSports equipment managers can make their physical stores as experiential as possible by investing in expert, passionate personnel and technology in order to create a real in-store experience of the product and the sports practice.Originality/valueWhile sports equipment retailers acknowledge the importance of providing customers with a memorable shopping experience by creating an evocative environment and placing multiple touchpoints in stores, management scholars have paid limited attention to sports stores. This study explores the ways in which sports retail managers can design their stores effectively in experiential terms.

Employee engagement in generating ideas on internal social media

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle Eskesen Gode ◽  
Winni Johansen ◽  
Christa Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Engagement ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Internal Social Media ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore employees’ perceptions of enablers and barriers to engage in multi-vocal dialogues about ideas (ideation) on internal social media (ISM) within a context of corporate communication. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study is based on four data sets: online observations of employee ideation on ISM from 2011 to 2018, semi-structured interviews and informal conversations with two managers (2015–2016), archival material, and semi-structured interviews with 14 employees (2017–2018) in a large, knowledge-intensive Danish organization. Findings The study identified various enablers and barriers to engagement related to psychological engagement conditions of meaningfulness, safety and availability. Managers’ communication role or importance of innovation, as well as tensions, e.g. obligation vs option to ideate or employee influence vs no influence, were identified as enabling or constraining employee engagement in ideation on ISM. Research limitations/implications Broadening interviews to include employees who decided not to participate in online ideation would increase insights and nuance this study’s results. Practical implications Managers need to be aware of the psychological engagement conditions and balance identified enablers, barriers and tensions by acknowledging communication reciprocity on ISM. Not only employees, but also managers, are dialogue partners in employee ideation on ISM. Originality/value The study is one of the first to explore enablers of and barriers to psychological engagement conditions in a context central to corporate communication, namely internal innovation communication on ISM, and to study ideation from a coworker perspective.

Role of social and organizational support in the adjustment of Tunisian self-initiated expatriates

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 171-190
Author(s):  
Hajer Khedher ◽  
Muhammad Ali Asadullah
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Advance Research ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore the lived experiences of Tunisian self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) for social and organizational support that they experienced during their international expatriation assignment in a host country. Design/methodology/approach This study is a qualitative research. The data were collected from Tunisian Expatriates through semi-structured interviews. Findings This study has revealed diverse some interesting insights about the lived experiences of Tunisian SIEs about the support which they received from their family members, social network and members of the host-country organization. This study has also introduced a scale that can be used for measuring the level of social and organizational support received by SIEs. Practical implications This study has offered some implications for the researchers and professionals to advance research and practice to regulate the lived experiences of SIEs. Originality/value This study has highlighted the lived experiences of SIEs for social and organizational support in the Tunisian context representing the collectivist Muslim society.

Is brand value co-creation actionable? A facilitation perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 1476-1488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Biraghi ◽  
Rossella Chiara Gambetti
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Brand Value ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purposive Sample ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Extant branding literature is dominated by a metaphorical view of value co-creation in which the roles of brand actors remain unspecified. To help provide clarity, the purpose of this paper is to critically appraise how brand professionals understand brand value co-creation and perceive their role in facilitating it, with the aim of questioning its viability in day-to-day brand management practices. Design/methodology/approach Building on brand professionals’ reflexivity, the study develops a qualitative methodological glance via semi-structured interviews based on confrontational techniques with a purposive sample of 28 experienced brand decision-makers. Findings Brand professionals perceive accessibility, reciprocity and citizenship as the gateways provided by the firm for value co-creation to happen. Despite their enthusiastic rhetorical afflatus in making explicit their viewpoints about how firms can facilitate value co-creation, the current translation into practice of the role of the firm does not seem to be able to overcome the sender-biased approach that still resides in brand management. Practical implications To go beyond the limits of rhetorical representations and make brand value facilitation more actionable, the authors provide guidelines on how firms can create and enhance the circumstances for the co-creation of brand value to occur in interactions with consumers and stakeholders. Originality/value This study contributes to the critical actionability of the brand value co-creation by elucidating how firms currently perceive their facilitation role. The paper provides strategic recommendations to put co-creation rhetoric into practice by reframing and expanding the scope and the significance of brand management.

Mothers' negotiation of welfare support: the emergence of privatized entitlement

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 1439-1454
Author(s):  
Orly Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Material Scarcity ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposePrevious accounts of exclusion, primarily those proposed in the context of access to welfare, marginalize the role of negotiation and its potential for highlighting distinct barriers and possibilities within specific institutional configurations. Furthermore, when negotiation is examined in the context of access to social services, it is rarely considered as reflecting changes in exclusion or the need to distinguish among exclusionary outcomes in mothers' lives. The author proposes a conceptualization of the distinction between civic exclusion and isolated exclusion, introducing the latter as a specific condition in which mothers are forced to respond to their children's needs by resorting to privatized entitlement.Design/methodology/approachStructured interviews were conducted between 2016 and 2017 with 90 mothers “providing in poverty” from seven marginalized categories in Israel. The interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory perspective.FindingsThree negotiation positions are revealed: positive citizenship, privatized entitlement and inconsistent gains. These positions reflect specific conditions of civic exclusion, which manifests in the form of multiple disadvantage in the lives of mothers, regardless of available forms of welfare support; and isolated exclusion, which manifests as the inability to protect one's children from harsh material scarcity, regardless of attempts to establish eligibility.Research limitations/implicationsLongitudinal data could better reflect the ramifications of isolated exclusion, particularly when translated into privatized entitlement.Practical implicationsThe consequences of isolated exclusion should be studied, in order to prevent negotiation failure leading to this phenomenon.Originality/valueUp until recently, the notion of exclusion was used without relevant distinctions obscuring the meaning of failing to negotiate access to welfare, in mothers' lives. Conceptualizing negative outcomes of negotiation as leading to isolated exclusion and privatized entitlement clarifies the meaning of poverty as dependency. Further, without relevant distinctions, scholars' and activists' effort to introduce higher commitment to mothers' negotiation among street-level bureaucrats cannot be accounted for.

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