The mindset of activity-based working

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari Anna Chatarina Skogland
Keyword(s):  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Architectural Drawings ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
The Right

Purpose The study aims to provide insight on the relationship between a newly implemented workplace concept, its intentions, the actual use and ultimately its ability to function as a strategic tool. By addressing the intended and unintended consequences of planned spatial arrangements, the interest lies in studying underlying factors affecting the concepts’ ability to function as a strategic tool. Design/methodology/approach The case study builds on semi-structured interviews and observational studies from a larger Norwegian organisation that recently implemented an activity-based workplace concept. Concept descriptions and architectural drawings have also been important sources to study how the concept was interpreted and used by different groups. Findings Taking a socio-material perspective, the findings illustrate that spatial aspects and different concept structures, together with issues such as employee mobility and time spent in the office, different work processes, management style and departmental cultures influenced the way the activity-based workplace concept was perceived and taken into use. Originality/value The findings indicate that social and cultural aspects may play a more significant role in the adaptation process than previously emphasised. The article further provides knowledge on how organisations, in planning and implementation of such concepts, may address the right issues to overcome challenges and achieve the higher strategic ends.

scholarly journals Introducing artificial intelligence into a human resources function

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-130
Author(s):  
Wilfried Niehueser ◽  
George Boak
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Employee Training ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Similar Work ◽  
A Company

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the attitudes of employees in a company dedicated to strategic recruitment towards the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into their work processes and to consider the implications for training and development. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven employees who were using the new technology. Survey data was gathered from 109 employees who had not, at the time of the research, used the new technology. Findings The introduction of AI considerably improved the speed and efficiency of the work processes. The research found that those employees who had used the new technology were positive about its effects, indicating that it was easy to use, robust and highly productive. A proportion of employees who had not, at the time of the research, used the new system, were less sure that it would improve their ability to do their job. Implications for introducing such a system and for employee training are discussed. Research limitations/implications This is a relatively small sample in one organisation; further research should be undertaken to assess whether these findings apply more widely. Practical implications If these attitudes are found elsewhere, there are a number of simple, practical suggestions for how to introduce AI into similar work processes. Originality/value The use of AI is a topic attracting increasing interest and speculation, but there is as yet little empirical research on factors affecting its introduction and use.

Factors affecting empowerment of female librarians, views of female managers of Tehran public libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 663-672
Author(s):  
Maryam Nakhoda ◽  
Samaneh Rahimian
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Female Managers ◽  
Inhibiting Factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study promoting and inhibiting factors in empowerment of female librarians in the opinion of female managers. It is necessary that library managers identify and monitor influential factors in empowering librarians, and attempt to eliminate factors with negative effects. Design/methodology/approach – This study is conducted in a phenomenological approach, which relies on in-depth interviews among nine female managers of top public library in Tehran. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis method was used for analysis of data. Findings – Interviews analysis revealed that job skills, participation and teamwork, role resolution, access to information, motivation, role modeling, recognition, and appreciation were among the effective factors in empowerment of female librarians. On the other hand, poor organizational communication system, negative attitudes toward staff, and instructional management style were among the inhibiting factors in empowerment of female librarians in the opinion of female public library managers. Originality/value – Results of the present study can help managers of public libraries to identify factors affecting empowerment of female librarians’. Also the findings can be used in managers’ planning and decision-making process.

Collaborative design in public services: a wicked problem-reframing case

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Moura e Sá ◽  
Catarina Frade ◽  
Fernanda Jesus ◽  
Mónica Lopes ◽  
Teresa Maneca Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right

PurposeWicked problems require collaborative innovation approaches. Understanding the problem from the users' perspective is essential. Based on a complex and ill-defined case, the purpose of the current paper is to identify some critical success factors in defining the “right problem” to be addressed.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical research study was carried out in a low-density municipality (case study). Extensive data were collected from official databases, individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group involving citizens, local authorities, civil servants and other relevant stakeholders.FindingsAs defined by the central government, the problem to be addressed by the research team was to identify which justice services should be made available locally to a small- and low-density community. The problem was initially formulated using top-down reasoning. In-depth contact with citizens and key local players revealed that the lack of justice services was not “the issue” for that community. Mobility constraints and the shortage of economic opportunities had a considerable impact on the lack of demand for justice services. By using a bottom-up perspective, it was possible to reframe the problem to be addressed and suggest a new concept to be tested at later stages.Social implicationsThe approach followed called attention to the importance of listening to citizens and local organisations with a profound knowledge of the territory to effectively identify and circumscribe a local problem in the justice field.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the limitations of traditional rational problem-solving approaches and contributes to expanding the voice-of-the-customer principle showing how it can lead to a substantially new definition of the problem to be addressed.

scholarly journals Investigating the barriers and facilitators to implementing mental health first aid in the workplace: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Jay Narayanasamy ◽  
Louise Thomson ◽  
Carol Coole ◽  
Fiona Nouri ◽  
Avril Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Employee Characteristics

Purpose There has been little research into the use and efficacy of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) across UK workplaces. This paper aims to investigate the implementation of MHFA across six UK organisations, identifying key barriers and facilitators. Design/methodology/approach Twenty-seven workplace representatives were recruited from six organisations through purposive sampling and took part in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences of workplace MHFA. The data underwent thematic analysis, identifying key themes around implementation. Findings Implementation varied across organisations, including different reasons for initial interest in the programme, and variable ways that MHFA-trained employees operated post-training. Key barriers to successful implementation included negative attitudes around mental health, the perception that MHFA roles were onerous, and employees’ reluctance to engage in the MHFA programme. Successful implementation was perceived to be based on individual qualities of MHFA instructors and good practice demonstrated by trained individuals in the workplace. The role of the inner organisational setting and employee characteristics were further highlighted as barriers and facilitators to effective implementation. Research limitations/implications MHFA is a complex intervention, presenting in different ways when implemented into complex workplace settings. As such, traditional evaluation methods may not be appropriate for gaining insights into its effectiveness. Future evaluations of workplace MHFA must consider the complexity of implementing and operationalising this intervention in the workplace. Originality/value This study is the first to highlight the factors affecting successful implementation of MHFA across a range of UK workplaces.

Developing a model for analyzing the factors influencing interpersonal conflict

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1127-1144
Author(s):  
Zeinab Lalegani ◽  
Ali Nasr Isfahani ◽  
Arash Shahin ◽  
Ali Safari
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Interpersonal Conflict ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Interpersonal Conflicts ◽  
Factors Influencing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and analyze a model of factors influencing interpersonal conflicts. Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted using a mixed method approach. In the qualitative study, the conceptual model of the factors affecting interpersonal conflicts was extracted from semi-structured interviews with 17 relevant experts using a theme analysis technique. Then, three hypotheses were developed based on the model and relevant theoretical evidence. Using a researcher-made questionnaire which was developed earlier based on the qualitative results, a quantitative-based survey was performed to assess the interpersonal conflicts and also the standard scale of the level of interpersonal conflicts (Jehn, 1997). The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 160 employees of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province Gas Company (CBPGC). Findings The results of the qualitative study indicated that individual factors including personality dimensions and individual differences; organizational factors including five dimensions of organizational culture, organizational structure, management characteristics, intra-organization factors and human resource systems; and environmental factors influenced the creation of interpersonal conflicts. The results of the quantitative study indicated that organizational factors with an effect size of 0.502 were identified as the most important factor influencing interpersonal conflicts. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study can provide a roadmap to managers of the CBPGC to be aware of the contributing factors to conflict within their organization. Originality/value The use of mixed method to identify the causes and factors of interpersonal conflict and analyzing a context different from previous studies can be considered as the innovations of this study.

scholarly journals Skill-mix change in general practice: a qualitative comparison of three ‘new’ non-medical roles in English primary care

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (684) ◽  
pp. e489-e498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline A Nelson ◽  
Fay Bradley ◽  
Anne-Marie Martindale ◽  
Anne McBride ◽  
Damian Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Qualitative Comparison ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Skill Mix ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Advanced Practitioner ◽  
Training Schemes

BackgroundGeneral practice is currently facing a significant workforce challenge. Changing the general practice skill mix by introducing new non-medical roles is recommended as one solution; the literature highlights that organisational and/or operational difficulties are associated with skill-mix changes.AimTo compare how three non-medical roles were being established in general practice, understand common implementation barriers, and identify measurable impacts or unintended consequences.Design and settingIn-depth qualitative comparison of three role initiatives in general practices in one area of Greater Manchester, England; that is, advanced practitioner and physician associate training schemes, and a locally commissioned practice pharmacist service.MethodSemi-structured interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of stakeholders involved in the implementation of each role initiative were conducted. Template analysis enabled the production of pre-determined and researcher-generated codes, categories, and themes.ResultsThe final sample contained 38 stakeholders comprising training/service leads, role holders, and host practice staff. Three key themes captured participants’ perspectives: purpose and place of new roles in general practice, involving unclear role definition and tension at professional boundaries; transition of new roles into general practice, involving risk management, closing training–practice gaps and managing expectations; and future of new roles in general practice, involving demonstrating impact and questions about sustainability.ConclusionThis in-depth, in-context comparative study highlights that introducing new roles to general practice is not a simple process. Recognition of factors affecting the assimilation of roles may help to better align them with the goals of general practice and harness the commitment of individual practices to enable role sustainability.

Social customer relationship management factors and business benefits

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee ◽  
Ranjan Chaudhuri ◽  
Demetris Vrontis ◽  
Alkis Thrassou ◽  
Soumya Kanti Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Customer Relationship Management ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Leadership Support ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Actual Use

Purpose This study aims to identify the business benefit of and factors affecting the use of social customer relationship management (SCRM) in Indian organizations. Design/methodology/approach Building on theoretical foundations, a conceptual model of factors affecting SCRM in Indian organizations is developed and empirically tested through a survey and corresponding analysis using SPSS and AMOS software. Findings The study presents empirical evidence that technological competence, environmental characteristics and organizational environment positively impact the actual use of SCRM on Indian organizations. Additionally, leadership support of organizations impacts positively the actual use of SCRM in organizations, while the trust factor insignificantly impacts the latter. The actual use of SCRM in organizations was found to have a positive impact on their business benefits. Research limitations/implications The theoretical model is built on the constructs of the technology, environment and organizational framework. It has added new factors, such as leadership support and trust, and thereby identified the business benefits of organizations using SCRM mediating through the organizations’ actual use of SCRM. The proposed model is simple, implementable and has a high explanative power of 81 per cent. Practical implications The study provides practitioners with evidence and practicable knowledge regarding the means and impact/benefits of SCRM use in Indian organizations. Originality/value The study is one of few empirical studies on the topic and contributes valuable knowledge to extant works through additional factors, theoretical conceptualization and empirical scientific findings of both scholarly and executive worth.

Bank officers’ perceptions and uses of qualified audit reports

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Sormunen
Keyword(s):  
Financial Statements ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Going Concern ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Audit Reports ◽  
Going Concern Reports ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the perceptions and uses of qualified audit reports in financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As there is a long-standing debate on the usefulness of auditor’s going-concern reports, this study aims to provide insights into the factors that affect how banks perceive and use going-concern reports. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews with bank officers were conducted. Findings – The study findings demonstrated that bank officers considered that the going-concern report provided information, although they did not regard the information as being particularly useful. The main factors affecting the usefulness of information are use of other information sources and bank officers’ perceptions of auditing. Other factors are also presented and discussed in the current research paper. Practical implications – Regulators have taken the action to improve the auditor’s reporting model, and the findings provided by this study are important because they provide a deeper understanding of the perceptions and uses of audit reports from smaller companies. The study also contributes knowledge about the role of audit reports in the context of SMEs finance. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to use a qualitative approach to examine factors that affect the use of going-concern reports.

Factors affecting student use of Web-based services

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Arif ◽  
Kanwal Ameen ◽  
Muhammad Rafiq
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Web Services ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The delivery of information services in higher education is increasingly relying on Web-based systems. The low adoption and underutilization of information systems have been major problems for developing countries such as Pakistan in terms of realizing their full benefits. This study aims to investigate factors affecting student use of Allama Iqbal Open University’s (AIOU) Web-based services by using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) from the perspective of Pakistani distance education. Design/methodology/approach This study has adopted quantitative research design with the UTAUT model as a theoretical framework. A self-completion structured questionnaire-based survey has been administered to 388 master’s level students, selected through systematic sampling from the target population. The response rate was 82 per cent (318). All statistical tests have been performed using IBM SPSS (version 20.0) and Process macro for SPSS. Findings Findings of the model’s hypotheses reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence are significant predictors of student behavioural intention to use AIOU Web-based services, whereas actual student use is dependent on facilitating conditions and student behavioural intention to use. The impact of moderating variables with respect to age, gender and experience did not influence the actual use of the Web services. However, the research model significantly measured (62.1 per cent) the actual use of AIOU Web-based services by the students. Research limitations/implications This study is delimited to the UTAUT model to investigate the phenomena. Besides this, the context of the study is the voluntary instead of mandatory usage of Web services. A study conducted in mandatory settings, in which students are bound to use Web services, may have different results. Originality/value This is the first attempt to apply the UTAUT model to investigate the factors affecting student use of Web-based services from the perspective of distance education and the findings prove strong support for the model.

Mandatory audit firm rotation: a critical composition of practitioner views from an emerging economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 861-896
Author(s):  
Michael Harber ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Chief Financial Officers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Mandatory Audit Firm Rotation

Purpose This study aims to address an acknowledged gap in the literature for the analysis of experienced practitioner views on the effects and implications of mandatory audit firm rotation (MAFR). Design/methodology/approach Using an exploratory and sequential design, data was collected from South African regulatory policy documents, organisational comment letters and semi-structured interviews of practitioners. These findings informed a field survey, administered to auditors, investors, chief financial officers (CFOs) and audit committee members of Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies. Findings Practitioners expressed considerable pushback against the potential efficacy of MAFR to improve audit quality due to various “switching costs”, notably the loss of client-specific knowledge and expertise upon rotation. In addition, the cost and disruption to both the client and audit firm are considered significant and unnecessary, compared to audit partner rotation. The audit industry may suffer reduced profitability and increased strain on partners, leading to a decline in the appeal of the profession as a career of choice. This is likely to have negative implications for audit industry diversity objectives. Furthermore, the industry may become more supplier-concentrated amongst the Big 4 firms. Practical implications The findings have policy implications for regulators deciding whether to adopt the regulation, as well as guiding the design of policies and procedures to mitigate the negative effects of adoption. Originality/value The participants are experienced with diverse roles concerning the use, preparation and audit of financial statements of large exchange-listed multinational companies, as well as engagement in the auditor appointment process. The extant literature presents mixed results on the link between MAFR and audit quality, with most studies relying on archival and experimental designs. These have a limited ability to identify and critique the potential’s witching costs and unintended consequences of the regulation. Experienced participants responsible for decision-making within the audit, audit oversight and auditor appointment process, are best suited to provide perspective on these effects, contrasted against the audit regulator’s position.

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