scholarly journals Expeditions through image jungles

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayse Göker ◽  
Richard Butterworth ◽  
Andrew MacFarlane ◽  
Tanya S Ahmed ◽  
Simone Stumpf
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Document Retrieval ◽  
Image Search ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Work Task ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retrieval Systems ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Searching for appropriate images as part of a work task is a non-trivial problem. Journalists and copywriters need to find images that are not only visually appropriate to accompany the documents they are creating, but are acceptably priced and licensed. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A work-based study methodology and grounded theory are used to collect qualitative data from a variety of creative professionals including journalists. Findings – The authors report the findings of a study to investigate image search, retrieval and use by creative professionals who routinely use images as part of their work in an online environment. The authors describe the commercial constraints that have an impact on the image users’ behaviour that are not reported in other more academic and lab-based studies of image use (Westman, 2009). Practical implications – The authors show that the commercial image retrieval systems are based on document retrieval systems, and that this is not the most appropriate approach in the journalism domain. Originality/value – The authors describe the properties of an “information expedition”; the image seeking behaviour exhibited by journalists in an online environment, and contend that it is significantly different to existing image seeking models which represent other user types.

Image needs on social Q&A sites: a comparison of Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-473
Author(s):  
Shengli Deng ◽  
Anqi Zhao ◽  
Ruhua Huang ◽  
Haiping Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Image Search ◽  
Search Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Evaluations ◽  
Retrieval Systems ◽  
Subsequent Discussion ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to examine why users search for images, how users describe their image needs and what the images are used for by analysing questions obtained from two Chinese social Q&A sites, Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao. Design/methodology/approach A total of 1,402 image questions were collected from Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao. Both quantitative analysis and qualitative content analysis were performed to identify user image needs and the potential differences on the two social Q&A sites. Findings Question-asker’s intention varies in different platforms. Zhihu users asked questions mainly aiming at a promotion of subsequent discussion, whereas users of Baidu Zhidao often did so to seek information. Syntactic attributes were not frequently used in both two sites. Zhihu users were more likely to express subjective evaluations on images (concept, emotion, theme and style) in their questions than users of Baidu Zhidao. In contrast, questions from Baidu Zhidao showed a tendency to more frequently include descriptive metadata (rights, format, size, quality and authenticity) and semantic attributes (generic activity, specific people, fashion and text) of the images than questions from Zhihu. Learning was an important use on social Q&A sites, especially on Baidu Zhidao. In addition, the images were primarily used to trigger emotion or served a persuasive purpose in Zhihu. Practical implications This study contributes to a better understanding of user image search behaviour, and the findings could be used to develop better image services on social Q&A sites. Meanwhile, the image attributes extracted from the questions are conducive to the improvement of image retrieval systems. Originality/value This study explored the features of image needs on social Q&A sites, especially considering image use specified in the question. The difference of image needs between two Chinese social Q&A sites (Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao) was identified.

scholarly journals An analysis of a structured benchmarking project

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1431-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Abdullah Al Nuseirat ◽  
Zeyad Mohammad El Kahlout ◽  
Ahmed Abbas ◽  
Dotun Adebanjo ◽  
Prattana Punnakitikashem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Project Data ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate a benchmarking project carried out by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as part of a structured benchmarking initiative. The project was based on the TRADE benchmarking methodology and this paper examines the tools, activities and outcomes that relate to each stage of the adopted methodology. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on case study methodology. Data were collected from various sources including analysis of project reports written by DEWA’s benchmarking team reporting on their activities during the project. Data were also collected from four project presentations given at different stages of the project. In addition, the research team held three meetings with the DEWA benchmarking team at different stages of the benchmarking project. Findings The results show the key challenges and successes faced during each stage of the benchmarking project. It indicates the actions taken to overcome the challenges and the role played by internal and external stakeholders in facilitating the success of the benchmarking project. Practical implications The study presents information that would guide organisations that wish to carry out a benchmarking project – and particularly those implementing benchmarking for the first time. The study provides a summary of the key lessons learnt by DEWA’s benchmarking team as a guide for other organisations. Originality/value Academic research has not adequately examined and analysed the stage-by-stage elements of a benchmarking project from the perspective of the implementing organisation. This study addresses this gap by detailing and analysing the experiences of a benchmarking project by tracking the stage-by-stage activities of the benchmarking team.

Just why do we need school libraries? Some ideas from students

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 140-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Kenneth Shenton
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pleasure Reading ◽  
Personal Interests ◽  
Frequency Counts ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the purposes of school libraries as they are viewed by teenagers attending a high school in northern England. Design/methodology/approach – The work is based on qualitative data contributed by 245 youngsters. Their material was coded inductively and frequency counts were generated in order to determine the balance of the data in relation to individual themes. Findings – Typically, the school library was understood as an area that made available books either for pleasure reading or academic purposes. No participant referred either to the work of librarians or to the value of libraries in enabling the user to find information in support of personal interests. Research limitations/implications – The research took place in only one school and it may well have been the case that many students who were apathetic towards school libraries simply declined the opportunity to participate in the work. Practical implications – Although the attitudes of the young people who contributed data were to an overwhelming degree constructive, key gaps were evident in their awareness of the potential of a school library. These are best rectified by managers developing their facility in such a way that it serves to demonstrate effectively to students the roles that the school library can play in a diversity of situations. Originality/value – Much of the published literature dealing with the purposes of school libraries and the prerequisites necessary to ensure their effectiveness pays little regard to the ideas of young people themselves. This paper goes some way towards remedying the deficiency.

Institutional repository: access and use by academic staff at Egerton University, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 276-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicitas Ciabere Ratanya
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Institutional Repository ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the access and use of the institutional repository (IR) among academic staff at Egerton University. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a description of the building and development of the IR at the Egerton university and describes expected benefits of the repository to the University and relevant stakeholders. A survey was conducted among 84 academic staff with an aim of examining their levels of awareness on the existence of the IR at the Egerton University and assess their access and use. Through a structured questionnaire both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Findings The study revealed that majority of the academic staff at the Egerton University are still not aware of the existence of the IR. Staff also faced challenges in accessing and using the content available. The paper provided suggestions on how best to enhance the access and utilization of the IRs among the academic staff. Practical implications From a practical point of view, the paper provides implications on the access and use of IRs by the academic staff. The paper points out some challenges faced by this group of users which other academic institutions may try to solve in their respective contexts. Originality/value Findings and discussions provided in the paper will pave way to solving the challenges faced in access and use of IR by the academic staff at the Egerton University.

scholarly journals Flesh-and-blood knowing

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo de Souza Bispo ◽  
Silvia Gherardi
Keyword(s):  
Social Action ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
New Research ◽  
Embodied Practice ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to offer a perspective to interpret qualitative data drawing on the introduction of the notion of “embodied practice-based research”. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a comprehensive literature review to support a meta-theoretical approach, we developed a theoretical essay. Findings The body is not only a field of studies but a mean of study as well. The embodied practice-based research is an inquiry style to access the tacit texture of social action and cognition. Practical implications Embodied practice-based research may impact qualitative researchers’ education and the way to report methodological proceedings and data report. Originality/value The core contribution of the paper is the introduction of a new research style able to change how researchers’ bodies may be used in qualitative management research.

Are you a spy? On the inconveniences of conventional methodology in terror wrap ethnography

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Iqbal Dawar
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Process Approach ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interview Method ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the significance of contextually localized strategies and to engage researchers in critical reflection about the ethical dilemmas of researching in volatile situations.Design/methodology/approachBased on 14 months of research experience, the paper reflects on the challenges and difficulties in qualitative data collection through conventional methodology in dangerous fields.FindingsThe paper argues that conventional methodology and the established codes of ethics and their guidelines certainly provide a useful starting point but each dangerous setting requires different localized approaches whereas ethics need to be considered as a process approach.Practical implicationsThis paper not only suggests the significance of “intermittent interview method” and its effectivity but also the importance of “respondent pyramiding” and “mutual confidentiality” in a dangerous field.Originality/valueThe paper reflects on the original 14 months of ethnographic accounts which will add value to the existing literature on qualitative research in dangerously hazardous fields.

Construct creation from research questions

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 1817-1838
Author(s):  
Sarah Forbes ◽  
Mark Avis
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Methodological Problem ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Made In

Purpose Construct Creation (CC) is a methodological problem occurring when a research process, instead of measuring an extant construct in the participant’s mind, creates the construct. The purpose of this paper is to argue that CC derives from problems around ecologically invalid research and attitudinal responses developed on the spot, both resulting from self-generated validity. Design/methodology/approach A between-subjects design was used to explore whether the personification prime (PP), a component of brand personality (BP) methodology, influenced the CC of BP for rocks. Analysis of qualitative data on how participants made their BP ratings in the absence of a PP was also completed. Findings Findings revealed that a methodology can enable CC in the participant’s mind, despite the construct being ecologically invalid prior to them participating in the study. Analysis also revealed that participants will use varied, and sometimes elaborate, strategies to enable CC and provide researchers with the answers to their questions. Research limitations/implications Previous research has drawn attention to CC as a problem but the implications of prior research have so far been “sidestepped”. Consequently, this paper demonstrates CC and why it is a problem, while rebutting some arguments made in prior research for sidestepping CC. Practical implications CC is a potentially serious methodological problem that can result in invalid findings informing or misdirecting theory used by practitioners. As such, this paper proposes methods to ameliorate CC and improve ecological validity of future research. Originality/value This study will contribute to methodological literature by refocusing attention to the currently neglected problem of CC and by proposing a model of CC by participants.

Collectors behaving ethically: an emerging consumption constellation

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Yurchisin ◽  
Sara B. Marcketti
Keyword(s):  
Fair Trade ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Predominantly Female ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Disadvantaged People

PurposeThis study aims to examine the characteristics of ethnographic textile collectors and compare them with the literature regarding fair trade consumers to explore the existence of a possible consumption constellation between collecting and fair trade purchasing.Design/methodology/approachPurposive sampling was used for the study as it maximized the attainment of significant information related to ethnographic textile collecting. Qualitative data from ethnographic textile collectors (n=12) were collected.FindingsResults suggested that collectors were interested in purchasing high quality, authentic products that expressed their identity and individuality. These are similarities shared with fair trade consumers. Furthermore, collectors' motives to help artisans overcome poverty were evident; a similar value guides fair trade purchasing.Research limitations/implicationsThe predominantly female sample of academics may not be representative of the average ethnographic textile collector.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the multiplicity of products and activities representative of one consumer group's lifestyle is beneficial to both for‐profit and non‐profit organizations in terms of product promotion or donation solicitation. The understanding of these consumers' lifestyle can, in turn, help marketers design and implement effective advertising and fundraising campaigns that improve the livelihood and wellbeing of excluded and disadvantaged people in developing countries.Originality/valueThe paper furthers the knowledge base and understanding of these different consumer segments by providing evidence of a consumption constellation between ethnographic textile collectors and fair trade consumers.

Depositor discipline and the bank ' s incentive to monitor

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-111
Author(s):  
Michael F. Ferguson ◽  
Bradley A. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Bank Loan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depositor Discipline ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Loan Announcements ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Event Study Methodology

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the question of the specialness of banks by addressing concerns raised in the recent studies and deriving policy implications for the future of banking. The specialness of banks has been well documented in the finance literature. More recent research, however, calls into question the special nature of banks. Design/methodology/approach – We use event study methodology to study 423 bank loan announcements from 1988 to 1996 and examine the returns relative to proxies for the bank ' s monitoring incentives and skill using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions. Findings – Our results indicate borrower abnormal announcement returns are positively related to proxies for the bank ' s monitoring incentives and skill as measured by: the ratio of uninsured deposits to total loans; a risk-adjusted measure of recovered charge-offs; and the relative bank-to-borrower capital ratio. Research limitations/implications – The results reveal how the fragile nature of the bank ' s structure improves the bank ' s incentives to monitor borrowers. Practical implications – Our results can inform the current debates in the Fed and in Congress surrounding reapplying the Glass-Steagall Act and limiting the size of banks. We show that banks were special before the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and when fewer banks belonged to the too-big-to-fail category. This suggests that reregulating banks to re-establish their fragile nature will re-establish them as information-generating intermediaries instead of just transactional institutions. Originality/value – Our findings have not previously been documented but are broadly consistent with models developed by Calomiris and Kahn (1991) and especially Diamond and Rajan (2001).

Soul mates or odd couples? Alignment theory and HRD

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gibb ◽  
Mhairi Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Test Validity ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
Partial Alignment ◽  
Alternative Perspective ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to test and explore alignment theory as a guiding principle for human resource development (HRD) by performing an empirical study. HRD scholars, professionals and others have adopted or assumed alignment theory to help explain HRD effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach – Constructs to measure an organisation’s strategic priorities and its HRD practices. A measure of HRD effectiveness was developed. A survey gathered data from 270 employees, managers and HRD staff in a sample of 76 organisations. Findings – The results show that HRD effectiveness does not vary with alignment as predicted. Forms of partial alignment, or the relations of an “odd couple”, are more strongly associated with HRD effectiveness than high alignment. Research limitations/implications – The use and integration of both normative measures (Likert scale) and ipsative measures (ranking) is necessary to capture alignment, but this limits the inferential statistics available to test validity and reliability. Qualitative data on case studies would be useful to explore alignment issues in context and depth. Practical implications – Stakeholders in organisations can use the “odd couple” interpretation of alignment as a fresh way to review and explore the opportunities and challenges of managing HRD effectiveness in an era where a narrowing and retrenchment of provisions is occurring and increasing. Originality/value – This study provides evidence which raises questions about alignment theory and policies intended to increase alignment. It suggests in the case of HRD, an alternative perspective that validates partial alignment can support effective HRD provisions.

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