Debbie MacInnis, autobiographical reflections

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-139
Author(s):  
Debbie MacInnis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide some background and context to MacInnis’ 33-year life as a marketing academic and to share some of the trials, tribulations and joys that have characterized her professional career. Design/methodology/approach This paper is autobiographical, highlighting some key aspects of MacInnis’ career, including the various educational, administrative, editorial, teaching and consulting roles she has held and how they have influenced her development as a scholar. Findings MacInnis emphasizes the importance of doing what is interesting, sticking with topics you love and working with people who inspire you and are great collaborators. We continually evolve as scholars in light of the continual changes in academic knowledge and in the world of marketing. Those changes provide exciting and enticing career opportunities. Practical implications Everyone should follow their own path. She has been fortunate to pursue a number of different roles in the profession, but she has learned to differentiate which activities best match who she is as an individual. Debbie would encourage others to do the same. Social implications We can contribute most when we understand ourselves, our strengths, our weaknesses and the other aspects of our lives that make life meaningful to us. Originality/value The essay offered here reflects Debbie’s path alone. Her hope is that by articulating her history, she can share with others the range of opportunities available in the field. There is no one way to succeed, and while she is not sure that her choices have made her the most successful that she could be, they are the choices she has made and she is happy to have learned both about the world and herself through these choices.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-390
Author(s):  
Nikhilesh Dholakia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to trace the personal and intellectual evolution of the author via an autobiographic approach. Design/methodology/approach Personal, reflective, interpretive, historical narrative. Findings For the author, the writing of this paper opened new and reflective windows on personal and intellectual evolution, and similar effects may happen with some of the readers. Research limitations/implications Some of the critical directions suggested herein could possibly inspire innovative critical marketing work. Practical implications There may be some insights on how to blend observations of the world at large with critical theories gleaned from the literature. Social implications The paper offers reflections of the unequal, unjust state of the world, and this could inspire others to seek innovative ameliorative pathways. Originality/value As an autobiographical narrative, this paper – by definition – is original and unique.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-86
Author(s):  
Jonathan Edward Leightner

Purpose This paper aims to argue that markets need a foundation of morality to promote the long-run success of an economy. Design/methodology/approach Three types of ethical theories are discussed and compared with what the sacred scriptures of Islam and Christianity say and with what economic theory says. Examples from China are provided. Findings Markets need morality. Research limitations/implications There are more religions in the world than just Islam and Christianity; however, space limitations force me to only consider those two religions. Furthermore, there are more countries in the world than just China. However, space limitations force me to only pull examples from China. Practical implications Economists should recognize that markets need morality, and they should start teaching that to their students. Social implications If markets are built on a foundation of ethics, then society prospers. In the absence of that foundation, societies falter. When a government, business and religious institutions see each other as complementary forces, then ethics can evolve. Originality/value The author knows of no other studies that explain the three types of ethical theories, compares those theories to what the sacred scriptures of Islam and Christianity say and to what economic theory says, and then uses examples from China to illustrate the need for morality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-627
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Fogarty

Purpose The purpose of this paper is a reflective account in which one person who has been around long enough to see a good bit considers how COVID-19 might change the general contours of the world. Design/methodology/approach This paper follows a broadly based and relatively unstructured approach, based on personal understandings and whatever rigor might have been gained by a life spent thinking about research design and the limits of methodology. Findings The opposite of what many others believe will happen is argued for. Things will change more than we wish. Most will change for the worse. Research limitations/implications Accounting research will have a role to play, but to have impact, this study will require that researchers adopt a much more critical perspective about capitalism and its consequences than before. Practical implications Everyone must do the best they can. Everyone must learn to accept the new and not rage to restore that which existed in before times. Social implications Harsher climate of interpersonal relations will be realized. Originality/value This paper is more about change than about accounting. A 30,000-foot level analysis that does not try to provide many examples. An effort to rise above the specifics that vary across the world.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamal Sharma ◽  
Mukund R. Dixit

Purpose This paper aims to discuss key aspects of the longevity of business enterprises across the world. It explores the parameters that set apart a company which had survived for more than 1,400 years from most large companies which survive for a fraction of this time. Design/methodology/approach The paper integrates observations from two important research papers on the topic, and from the author’s own research. Findings Contrary to expectations, long-surviving firms are usually conservative about change, exploit their opportunities rather than explore more, diversify in relevant areas, and co-operate even with their competitors to live long. Research limitations/implications To those companies that live long, age becomes a valuable resource in itself. Consumers see a continuous track record of a firm as a proxy for good quality, and long history can provide managers institutional memory to leverage toward further sustainability. “Long history” not only can provide anecdotes and stories to employees that exemplify the tacit core values of the firm but also, quite counter-intuitively, could be useful in transforming cultures and traditions. Practical implications Longevity challenge encompasses both continuity and change, but the experience filtered from many long-lived firms across the globe provides companies with insights that could inspire many more to live long and prosper.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Robert Lawrence ◽  
Jerome Carson

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to provide a profile of Robert Lawrence. Design/methodology/approach Robert provides a short background to his life and is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Robert talks about the slow onset of his condition, his hospital admission and subsequent long journey of recovery. Research limitations/implications Case studies are of course only one person’s story. The world of someone experiencing psychosis is so different that we can only really understand it fully through the accounts of sufferers like Robert. Practical implications Robert makes a number of points about how services could be improved, such as through quicker and better treatment and a commitment to promote positive mental health. Social implications Robert talks about “benefits you can live off.” He notes that some governments have not fully appreciated the reality of mental suffering and its effects on trying to live a “normal” life. Originality/value Robert’s story has seen him embark on a long journey. He has now managed to study for a qualification which will hopefully bring him employment as a counsellor.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 5-7
Author(s):  
Doirean Wilson

Purpose – Interviews two black minority ethnic (BME) male youths who were raised in high knife and gun-crime areas of London. Design/methodology/approach – Considers whether feral youth behavior might have something to do with British youths’ need for respect. Findings – Quotes one of the youths as saying it is disrespectful to enter their territory without permission. Practical implications – Quotes the other as saying that BME male youths do not get respect from the British police, the politicians or the society and so do not have a voice. Social implications – Considers that society might therefore benefit from changing its attitude to BME youth. Originality/value – Contains the views of two BME young people who were prepared to be named in an interview that would provide them with the opportunity to air their views without criticism.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Sergius Koku ◽  
Osman Jusoh

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to argues for theory development in Islamic marketing and attempts to lay the ground work by drawing on other social sciences. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a critical review of the literature for insights that advance Islamic marketing. Findings – The study suggests that scholars in the area of Islamic marketing should start working towards the development of a theory of Islamic marketing. While this theory will draw on the unique engagement of Muslims with non-Muslims, it will offer an opportunity to explain and predict the world around us. Research limitations/implications – This is purely a theoretical piece that is aimed at knowledge development in the field, and, as such, it does not give much guidance to the practitioner, instead in invites other academics to draw on the world around us as they engage in their scholarly activities towards theory building. Practical implications – The study gives directions for areas of possible future research in Islamic marketing. Social implications – Broadening the research efforts in Islamic marketing as advocated in this paper does have several important social implications. Originality/value – This study is rare in terms of the issues it raises.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-26

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the advantages that two firms – Days Contract Hire and Keir Construction – gain from regularly taking on apprentices. Design/methodology/approach – Describes how the apprenticeship programs work at the two companies and the support that apprentices are given. Findings – Suggests that companies benefit in terms of better trained employees who are more loyal to the business and better able to service the needs of the customer. Practical implications – Reveals how the apprentices themselves benefit from having a trade and the likelihood of a full-time job. Social implications – Highlights some of the reasons that the British government is once again turning to apprenticeships as a good way of preparing young people for the world of work. Originality/value – Provides the inside story of the experiences of apprentices at two successful companies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-180
Author(s):  
David Bernard-Stevens

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to get individuals understanding how to think differently about leadership and the process for creating ethical leaders with sustainable impact. Design/methodology/approach – The author uses his experience as a teacher, a state senator and his own learning experiences from studying and experiencing leadership from the top down. The author has taken concepts from his recently published book: A Leap of Faith: Going, Doing and Changing Ourselves and the World Around Us. Findings – There is a huge difference between having a position of authority and that of being a leader. One cannot lead anyone until first learning to lead one’s self. That we must shift how we think from reacting and repeating to responding and creating new possibilities. Research limitations/implications – This work is based upon the life experiences of the author. It is limited to that experience and his interpretation of what those experiences can mean for future leaders. Practical implications – These concepts can change reality for anyone both professionally and personally. These are concepts for changing ourselves and the world around us to provide meaning and joy regardless of one’s circumstance. Social implications – Create a way of thinking and a process for creating authentic, ethical leaders throughout the world whose impact will be both sustainable and resilient in the worlds of today and tomorrow. Originality/value – These are concepts taken from the author’s new book which is in the form of letters to his sons (and to us) about his life, experiences and how to be ethical leaders with lives of meaning and joy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-18

Purpose – This paper aims to describe numerous ways in which supermarket Walmart is seeking to improve the lives of women across the world. Design/methodology/approach – It looks in particular at the Women in Factories program, which is helping to train more than 60,000 women working in factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America that supply products to the supermarket giant and other retailers. Findings – It charts how the program, launched in Bangladesh and India in 2012, will reach 150 factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America by 2017. Practical implications – It explains that by educating and empowering women in factories and creating a stronger supply chain, suppliers realize greater efficiencies in their factories, which should result in higher-quality products, lower prices and more reliable product availability for customers. Social implications – It reveals that Walmart is sharing the Women in Factories curriculum with other retailers who can choose to implement it in their own supply chains. Originality/value – It details various ways in which Walmart seeks to improve economic and social conditions for women around the world.


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