Support for female international business travellers in dual-career families

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Puchmüller ◽  
Iris Fischlmayr
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
International Business ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Dual Career ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Support Theory ◽  
Template Analysis ◽  
Business Travellers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate experiences of female international business travellers living in dual-career families (DCFs) who also have childcare obligations. In particular, the paper explores in which way different sources of support – specifically organizational support – are perceived as important and are available to the women under research. Because of the women’s regular absences due to business trips and the fulfilment of their family role, challenges regarding childcare or household responsibilities may occur. Consequently and also according to social support theory, different types of support may be necessary to organize family and international career, and effectively perform in both environments. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the experiences and thoughts of these women with special regards on support issues. Data are collected from 51 semi-structured interviews with internationally travelling women in DCF situations originating from seven Western and non-Western countries. The interviews are analysed applying template analysis. Findings Results show that, across countries, support is mainly derived from within family. Regarding institutional or organizational support, however, the reported expectations and actually offered activities differ because of local institutional and cultural variations. The examined women value different forms of organizational support, but do not necessarily expect it. Originality/value This paper represents the first exploratory examinations of various forms of support for female international business travellers in DCFs suggested by social support theory. It includes a culturally diverse sample and contributes to cross-cultural career research.

scholarly journals Global Mobility beyond Traditional Assignments - A Review on Flexpatriates and International Business Travellers

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 570-576
Author(s):  
Padmini Jayasekara
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
International Business ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Policy Orientation ◽  
Global Mobility ◽  
Data Compilation ◽  
Strategic Policy ◽  
Business Travellers

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of flexpatriates and international business travellers (FIBT) and related issues of FIBTs. Finally, the outcome of the paper is enriched by presenting a policy oriented conceptual model for managerial concern to resolve such issues of FIBSs. A literature-based data compilation was done to develop this model. The model mainly outlines the necessity of giving strategic policy orientation on managing FIBTs by considering several supportive channels: organizational support and social support for both assignees and families.

scholarly journals Psychological contracts of international business travellers

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1701-1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Atkinson ◽  
Els Pareit
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Psychological Contracts ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
International Assignments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
International Human Resource Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Business Travellers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of psychological contracts of international business travellers (IBTs), a new form of expatriate that has arisen from the growing need for alternative forms of internationally mobile talent. The research is conducted in Belgium, a country recognised as a global hub in which international assignments are essential to economic success. Design/methodology/approach Research in respect of IBTs is limited and semi-structured interviews are used to explore Belgian employee perspectives. Findings The contract is more relational in nature than might be expected with an idiosyncratic mix of relational and transactional obligations. Research limitations/implications The research is small-scale and qualitative and not widely generalisable. Further it presents only employee perspectives. Nevertheless it generates rich insights into a phenomena about which little is known. Practical implications The findings develop understanding of how to manage the valuable strategic resource that is the IBT. Originality/value First, the research is of value to the International Human Resource Management field in developing understanding of a newly emerging form of international employee, the IBT. Second, it contributes to psychological contract research in both developing understanding the transactional/relational balance and in generating much-needed rich and nuanced qualitative data.

The role of insiders and organizational support in the learning process of newcomers during organizational socialization

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 562-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Mornata ◽  
Iolanda Cassar
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Organizational Socialization ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proactive Behaviors ◽  
Interpersonal Characteristics

Purpose This study aims to focus on newcomers’ learning strategies when they perceive organizational socialization support to be lacking, and on interpersonal characteristics that insiders should possess to support the newcomers’ proactive behaviors in this context. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through 14 face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed with a conventional content analysis method (Paillé and Mucchielli, 2013), involving first a thematic analysis and afterward, a conceptual analysis using MaxQDA11©. Findings The authors’ analysis highlights that when newcomers perceive the formal organizational socialization support as lacking, they regulate their proactive behaviors by seeking indirect guidance, and more precisely, by engaging in informal interactions with insiders likely to help them socialize. These interactions can have a cost in terms of self-image, so newcomers regulate their proactive behaviors by looking for insiders perceived to be psychologically safe, even if they have to look for them in other working contexts. Practical implications Considering the regulation process of newcomers’ proactive behaviors according to their perceptions, human resources management should focus on those perceptions and develop a blended learning approach including formal learning programs, as well as individualized support to facilitate on-the-job learning and respond to personal needs. Special consideration should also be given to interpersonal skills displayed by insiders. Originality/value The originality of the study is the use of a qualitative methodology focusing on newcomers’ main learning strategy according to their perception of organizational socialization support and the psychological safety climate. The limitations of the authors’ work are the size of the study population and the fact that part of the interviewees were successfully socialized by reaching 15 months on their new post at the point where the interviews were conducted.

scholarly journals Is pharmacist pre-registration training equitable and robust?

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-358
Author(s):  
Samuel David Jee ◽  
Ellen Ingrid Schafheutle ◽  
Peter Raymond Noyce
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Formal Support ◽  
Template Analysis ◽  
Support Mechanisms ◽  
Trainee Experience

Purpose Against a backdrop of concerns regarding the quality and equity of the final practice-based pre-registration training year, the purpose of this paper is to examine how robust and equitable current education and training arrangements in Great Britain are in preparing newly qualified pharmacists (NQPs) for practice. Design/methodology/approach In addition to considering relevant regulator, policy and research literature, this paper presents findings from a longitudinal qualitative study that tracked 20 pharmacy trainees and their tutors during pre-registration training and early registered practice. Trainees were interviewed four times over a 12-month period; tutors were interviewed twice. Semi-structured interviews explored learning and development, work environment and support received. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using template analysis. Findings Currently, there are no requirements tor training pre-registration tutors, or for accreditation or quality assurance of training sites. Longitudinal interview findings showed that community trainees developed knowledge of over-the-counter and less complex, medicines whereas hospital trainees learnt about specialist medicines on ward rotations. Hospital trainees received support from a range of pharmacists, overseen by their tutor and other healthcare professionals. Community trainees generally worked within a small pharmacy team, closely supervised by their tutor, who was usually the sole pharmacist. NQPs were challenged by having full responsibility and accountability as independent practitioners, without formal support mechanisms. Originality/value The variability in trainee experience and exposure across settings raises concerns over the robustness and equity of pre-registration training. The lack of formal support mechanisms post-registration may pose risks to patient safety and pharmacists’ well-being.

Prioritizing intentions behind investment in cryptocurrency: a fuzzy analytical framework

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Gupta ◽  
Sanjay Gupta ◽  
Manoj Mathew ◽  
Hanumantha Rao Sama
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Theory ◽  
Digital Transactions

PurposeThe primary objective of this study is to prioritize the main intentions behind investment in cryptocurrency, in spite of its volatile nature and no regulatory framework.Design/methodology/approachThis research paper has worked on collective constructs of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), the technology acceptance model (TAM) and social support theory with an added construct of financial literacy. A fuzzy analytical framework has been applied to prioritize the intentions of investors.FindingsThe result indicates that “Social Influence (SI)” is the most influencing factor, while “Effort Expectancy (EE)” is the least influencing factor considered by investors. The subdimensions ranked in the top priority by investors are as follows: “I want to invest in cryptocurrencies because I have a good level of financial knowledge (FL1)”; “The people who are important to me will think that I should use cryptocurrencies (SI2)”; “I have the necessary resources to use cryptocurrencies (FC2).” The least importance is given to “It will be easy for me to become an expert in the use of cryptocurrencies (EE3).”Research limitations/implicationsFew of the constructs of the UTAUT, the TAM and social support theory have been considered while prioritizing intentions. Different other intentions also prevail under different theories that need to be researched further.Practical implicationsUnlike previous studies, this research adds the archetype of social commerce, social support and utility theories to analyze and prioritize the behavioral perspective of using cryptocurrencies in digital transactions.Originality/valueThis paper fills the gap in the research study, along with assisting the regulators and cryptocurrency practitioners to widen their knowledge base and to recognize the prioritized intentions.

scholarly journals Understanding employees’ intrapreneurial behavior: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1677-1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgiana-Alexandra Badoiu ◽  
Mercedes Segarra-Ciprés ◽  
Ana B. Escrig-Tena
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Single Case ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Corporate Entrepreneurship ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Top Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper insight into the organizational factors and personal motivations of intrapreneurs that may foster intrapreneurial behaviors of employees in a new technology-based firm (NTBF). Design/methodology/approach The paper takes a qualitative approach to explore organizational and individual antecedents of employees’ intrapreneurial behavior. A single case study was conducted on the basis of semi-structured interviews with the founders and top managers of the firm and with intrapreneurial employees. Findings Results show that intrapreneurial projects may arise in firms whose top managers support corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in a non-active manner. Intrapreneurial behaviors of employees can emerge despite the lack of time and limited resources available for undertaking projects. Moreover, work discretion and mutual confidence and the quality of the relationship between employees and top managers are the most valued factors for intrapreneurs. Practical implications Based on the intrapreneurial projects studied, this paper helps to contextualize intrapreneurs’ perception of organizational support and the personal motivations for leading projects within an NTBF. Originality/value Traditionally, the literature has mainly focused on the top-down implementation of entrepreneurial projects within large firms. This paper contributes to the understanding of the combination of firm- and individual-level factors that facilitate intrapreneurial behaviors of employees. It also illustrates the contextual conditions and the firms’ orientation on CE within an NTBF.

The impact of social support on job stress of shift working mothers: a study of casino employees in Macao

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Working Mothers ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Female Employees ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory understanding of the impact of social support on job stress of shift working mothers in Macao casinos.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research method was adopted in this study. A snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit participants, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted on participants from different casinos of six Macao gaming operators.FindingsThe paper found out that emotional and instrumental supports from families and friends are the most important social support for shift working mothers to cope with their job stress in casinos.Research limitations/implicationsA qualitative method may lead to a misinterpretation or ignorance of key information due to the researcher bias. The snowball sampling strategy may lead to a biased sample which may not represent the entire population.Originality/valueThe understanding of what types of social support that shift working mothers appreciate and need the most may provide managerial implications for casino operators for a better support to their female employees.

scholarly journals Soft adventure motivation: an exploratory study of hiking tourism

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Fabian Bichler ◽  
Mike Peters
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Template Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Tourism Destinations ◽  
Special Composition ◽  
Qualitative Discussion

Purpose Adventure activities have become the core products of many tourism destinations. Hiking, which is known to be a soft adventure activity, represents an especially important product for many tourism destinations around the globe and in the European Alps. However, little research has explored hikers’ underlying motivation and experiences, which are expected to differ from the hard adventure context, as mountain hiking provides a low risk, but high immersion. This paper aims to determine and explore the underlying dimensions and dynamics of mountain hikers’ soft adventure motivation (SAM). Design/methodology/approach A concurrent mixed-method design that builds on a quantitative survey (N = 379) and qualitative interviews (N = 14) was used to explore SAM factors. This study combined exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis with semi-structured interviews and template analysis. Findings The quantitative results provide six SAM factors and emphasize that “relaxation,” “socializing” and “discovery” contribute to hiking satisfaction, while “recognition” has adverse effects. By triangulating these findings with hikers’ experiences, this study underlines the associated recreational meaning of hiking and provides an in-depth qualitative discussion of SAM factors and the subordinate role of “recognition.” Originality/value The contribution of this paper is a refined understanding of SAM in the hiking context by emphasizing the recreational meaning of mountain hiking. As a result, this study adds an important missing link to previous outdoor tourism and leisure studies by showing the special composition and dynamics of SAM. The findings also support the creation of tailor-made touristic products.

Disaster relief efforts of Houston sport organizations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Finch
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Sport Organizations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Recovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emotional Recovery ◽  
Relief Efforts

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the community recovery efforts undertaken by Houston, Texas, sport organizations following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.Design/methodology/approachForty-eight media articles, 138 social media posts from Houston athletes and five semi-structured interviews with Houston sport organization executives underwent a content analysis to categorize responses of disaster relief activities. All eleven categories were identified. Three themes emerged from additional analysis: organizations serving as communication hubs, earned trust and internal organizational support. Benchmark examples in key categories are also discussed.FindingsThis paper provided focused analysis of the reactions of several Houston area sport organizations during the immediate disaster recovery period. Organizations participated in both tangible and emotional recovery efforts. The long-term impacts of these efforts will require additional investigation. The findings of this case study are specific to the relief efforts in Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and may not be generalizable beyond this scope.Practical implicationsSport organizations and community leaders can better prepare for future disaster responses by gaining insight into the roles and procedures enacted by the Houston teams following the Hurricane in 2017.Originality/valueThis study provides a detailed examination of the responses of several Houston sport organizations following Hurricane Harvey, including perspectives from executives inside of the organizations. Utilizing social anchor theory, this paper expands our understanding of the impacts sport organizations may produce in their roles as social anchors during disaster relief and recovery.

Expatriate coaching: factors impacting coaching success

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raija Salomaa
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Managerial Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coaching Relationship ◽  
Four Quadrant ◽  
Tools And Techniques

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors impacting successful coaching of expatriates. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from 25 semi-structured interviews of coached expatriates, coaches and HR professionals. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze and interpret the data. Findings – Altogether, 16 factors impacting expatriate coaching success were identified. They were categorized with respect to the four-quadrant framework of Wilber. The findings suggest, for example, that coaching success is impacted by: from the coach and coachee as individuals perspective, international experience of the coach; from the coaching relationship perspective, coaching language and managerial leadership style; from the behaviors, processes, models and techniques perspective, a clear contract with objectives and evaluation, and challenging behavior of the coach; and from the systems perspective, organizational support. Practical implications – Coaching processes, tools and techniques should be adapted to the needs and situation of the assignee. It would be beneficial if organizations ensured that their coaches are internationally experienced and that their managerial leadership style supports coaching. Coaching should be clearly defined and contracted with goals and evaluation. Coaching tools and techniques suitable for international coaching should be added to coach-training programs. Originality/value – Given the paucity of expatriate coaching research, and the fact that expatriation continues to be a key component of the international management field, this paper contributes to coaching and expatriate research by identifying factors that give expatriate coaching success and by analyzing and presenting them using Wilber’s systemic four-quadrant framework.

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