Building common ground in a wildly webbed world: a pattern language approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-350
Author(s):  
John Charles Thomas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to help bridge the digital divide that arises from people having such different viewpoints that little communication is possible, even though all have access to the internet and speak the same language. Design/methodology/approach The method is to catalog the best practices in collaboration and cooperation in the form of a pattern language. After describing pattern languages, some examples are given. Findings People have been trying to cooperate in many cultures over many centuries, and there are many the best practices that can be useful to find a common ground. Research limitations/implications The patterns suggested do not easily allow empirical and objective A/B testing. Practical implications Any pattern or guideline will be applied by most people in most contexts. There will always be practical limitations in the appropriate scope of application. Social implications A more widespread use of the patterns should help heal the divisiveness in society. Originality/value While pattern languages have been used in many fields, this is the first attempt to do so in fostering civil engagement.

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Fuessler

Purpose – Through interviews last year with 576 CFOs to find out how they’re contributing to the revenue, growth and foresight of the enterprises they represent, IBM researchers sought to identify the best practices of leading companies. Design/methodology/approach – IBM researchers identified a cohort of companies with outstanding finance units they called Value Integrators, organizations that were more effective than their peers in almost every area assessed. The finance units were especially good at measuring and monitoring business performance, managing risk and generating predictive insights. Findings – A subset of this group of successful firms far outperformed the rest. The researchers dubbed these superstars Performance Accelerators because they’ve mastered their core duties so thoroughly that they’ve taken a leap ahead of every other kind of finance organization. Practical implications – The Performance Accelerators’ particular blend of skills equipped them to help their companies make smarter decisions. Originality/value – Performance Accelerators exert more influence on the enterprises they serve, and make a bigger contribution to performance than any other kind of finance organization. And they do so because they are particularly adept at generating deep insights that can be used to stimulate profitable growth.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-84
Author(s):  
Gareth Hughes ◽  
James Comber

Purpose To remind sponsors to adopt an attitude of “professional skepticism” in Hong Kong IPOs. Design/methodology/approach Explains the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”)'s sanction on BOCOM International (Asia) Limited (“BIAL”) as a sign of determination to hold sponsors to account as gatekeepers to the Hong Kong capital markets. Findings The SFC has reprimanded and fined BIAL HK$15 million for failing to discharge its duties as a sole sponsor in a listing application for China Huinong Capital Group Company Limited (“China Huinong”), a company established in the PRC. This substantial fine reinforces the need for sponsors to ensure that they fully and properly discharge all of their duties, and that they will be held responsible for any failure to do so, even if the listing is not ultimately approved. Practical implications If sponsors fail to fulfil the requirements required under the sponsors’ regulatory regime, the SFC will be proactive and impose tough sanctions, even if the listing application is eventually withdrawn or returned by the SEHK. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced regulatory, financial and commercial dispute resolution lawyers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 3423-3441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Whalen

PurposeWhile netnography was established to study virtual communities from the traditional ethnography methodology, over time it has evolved and moved away from standard ethnographic practices. The modifications are especially prevalent in hospitality and tourism research because of the nature of experiential and service-based goods. This gap has created exciting new opportunities for researchers. As netnography has matured into its own methodology, it has provided the opportunity for researchers to use netnography techniques or more traditional techniques by following ethnography methodologies. This paper aims to analyze the differences between these two methodologies within hospitality and tourism literature enabling researchers to choose the methodology that is most suited for their project.Design/methodology/approachThis study reviews netnographic research in hospitality and tourism and compares current uses of netnography against traditional ethnographic methodologies.FindingsThere are four major differentiating points between netnography and ethnography: online community definitions, data collection methodologies, ethics in research and data analysis techniques.Practical implicationsIn comparing ethnography and netnography in hospitality and tourism research, this analysis provides a foundation to evaluate the best use and best practices for these two distinct qualitative methodologies in the field. The study also provides references to how other hospitality and tourism researchers have used netnography.Originality/valueEthnographic principles grounded in the foundation of anthropological doctrines are important and distinct from netnography. The ability to use the diverse tools in the qualitative methods toolbox will help hospitality and tourism researchers understand the transforming marketplace.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravin Jesuthasan

Purpose This paper aims to explore how a new industrial revolution with digital technology at its core is disrupting the workplace. It shares how HR has an opportunity to use data and digital technologies to reinvent how organizations engage with their workforce. It answers the question of how HR pivots from its legacy focus on compliance and being a steward of employment to the work and helping the organization strengthen its connection with its workers through improved digital engagement. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on Willis Towers Watson thought leadership and references recent findings from their research. Findings The paper explores how digital technologies have changed how workers connect with their co-workers and the organization. In addition, it examines how digital technologies are changing how work gets done. Research limitations/implications The paper is not exclusively based on research. Practical implications The paper explores how digital technologies drive engagement, HR’s role as steward of the work and enabler of digital engagement and best practices for enabling digital engagement in the modern workplace. Originality/value This paper fulfills a need to assist HR leaders in thinking through the implications of the future of work and how digital technologies will shape that future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Kirkpatrick ◽  
Christine Savage ◽  
Russell Johnston ◽  
Matthew Hanson

Purpose To understand and analyze sanctions evasion and enforcement via virtual currencies. Design/methodology/approach Discusses various jurisdictions’ attempts to further the use of virtual currency to facilitate and maximize access to international funds; analyzes the aspects that make virtual currency uniquely suited to evade sanctions; suggests best practices for industry participants to be sure to account for the differences in crypto asset structure and related risks. Findings The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has explicitly stated that despite virtual currency’s anonymity, industry participants are still responsible for policing and enforcing client compliance. Although sanctioned jurisdictions are thinking creatively about ways around SWIFT, the use of virtual currency to skirt sanctions presents certain challenges. Practical implications Virtual currency industry participants should understand OFAC’s specific guidance regarding compliance obligations in the cryptocurrency space, and should implement best practices and conservative measures to avoid unknowingly running afoul of sanctions laws. Originality/value Expert analysis and guidance from experienced investigations and sanctions lawyers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Cross

Purpose Fraud is not a new offence. However, the recent evolution and proliferation of technologies (predominantly the internet) has seen offenders increasingly use virtual environments to target and defraud victims worldwide. Several studies have examined the ways that fraud is perpetrated with a clear demarcation between terrestrial and cyber offences. However, with moves towards the notion of a “digital society” and recognition that technology is increasingly embedded across all aspects of our lives, it is important to consider if there is any advantage in categorising fraud against the type of environment it is perpetrated in. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the perceived utility of differentiating online and offline fraud offences. It is based upon the insights of thirty-one professionals who work within the “fraud justice network” across London, UK and Toronto, Canada. Findings It highlights both the realities faced by professionals in seeking to ether maintain or collapse such a differentiation in their everyday jobs and the potential benefits and challenges that result. Practical implications Overall, the paper argues that the majority of professionals did not feel a distinction was necessary and instead felt that an arbitrary divide was instead a hindrance to their activities. However, while not useful on a practical front, there was perceived benefit regarding government, funding and the media. The implications of this moving forward are considered. Originality/value This paper provides new insights into how fraud justice network professionals understand the distinction between fraud offences perpetrated across both online and offline environments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-476
Author(s):  
Solange Barros de Alcantara Hamrin

Purpose This study is an inductive exploration of factors that are relevant to the inclusion and integration of immigrant workers in a Swedish workplace. The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiences of immigrant employees with other organisational actors at two senior nursing units in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach Results are drawn from the analyses of interviews with six female and three male immigrant nursing assistants living permanently in Sweden. Findings Trustful relationships with other organisational actors, during both formal and informal interactions, are considered essential facilitating inclusion of these immigrant workers. Immigrant workers experienced inclusion when they achieved language competence (or felt supported in their attempts to do so) and bridged cultural differences. The results also highlight conditions for interactions and leadership as factors influencing inclusion. In addition, inclusion implied acculturation or awareness of the values of native-born citizens. Research limitations/implications The study suggests that immigrants’ relational dynamics with their colleagues are essential to inclusion, despite types of studies that focus mainly on the competences of leaders to manage diversity. Practical implications The results have implications for organisations’ development of a more democratic workplace with more inclusiveness and with satisfied employees. Originality/value The study gives voice to immigrant workers, which is rare in Swedish and international organisations that deal with the issue of immigrant integration in the workplace.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Snéha Khilay

Purpose – Highlights the notion of a dominant organizational culture and examines what can happen when this conflicts with an individual employee’s set of beliefs. Design/methodology/approach – Provides examples of employees who have challenged the dominant culture in their organization and considers some of the outcomes. Findings – Investigates how people get caught up in the “need-to-be-liked” syndrome and behave in a manner that causes discomfort, yet continue to do so while occasionally losing sight of strongly held values or perspectives. Practical implications – Tells the stories of individuals who, although their fight for justice involved difficulties and emotional grief, had to take responsibility and focus on the outcome they wanted, basically to continue their personal and professional lives with their heads held high. Originality/value – Recounts cases of individuals who have faced adversity in their work because of them voicing their differences, raising concerns and being treated in a negative manner as a result.


2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana K Wakimoto

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore graphic design best practices and approval processes used by librarians. Design/methodology/approach – This paper used an online, qualitative survey to collect data on librarians’ design processes and best practices. The responses were reviewed to determine categories and themes of librarians’ design processes and best practices to gain an understanding of the state of graphic design in libraries. Findings – The majority of the respondents reported that there were no formal guidelines, design committees or approval processes at their libraries. While some librarians were aware of and used graphic design best practices, many respondents were unsure of what constituted a best practice in graphic design. Research limitations/implications – The paper was exploratory and the respondents cannot be said to be representative of all librarians and, therefore, generalizations to all librarians are not possible. Practical implications – Findings may help librarians who assume design duties in their libraries in exploring best practices and discussing design approval processes. Originality/value – This paper is one of the few papers in the library science literature on graphic design as applied specifically to librarians. It increases our understanding of graphic design in libraries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-546
Author(s):  
Austin Chike Otegbulu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of discrepancy in the valuation process adopted by valuers in the study area with a view to provide solution. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on both structured questionnaire and content analysis of valuation reports. In total, 185 (41 percent) structured questionnaires were randomly distributed to practicing estate surveying firms; out of 450 firms in Lagos, 173 were retrieved and used for analysis. However, the content analysis was based on 54 valuation reports on plants and equipment to investigate the extent of compliance to valuation process, standard and best practices among practitioners. Findings The findings from the study show that most of the practitioners lack the expertise to carry out plant and machinery (P&M) valuation, and there is evidence of poor application of methodology and lack of adherence to standards. Practical implications The findings from this study will reinforce the need for specialization and enforcement of standard in plant and equipment valuation practice, which will enthrone consistency, uniformity and reliability. Originality/value This study is the first to deal with methodology lapses in plant and equipment valuation in the study area. Ashaolu (2016) worked on the inter-disciplinary nature of plant and equipment valuation, whereas Otegbulu and Babawale (2011) worked on valuer’s perception or potential sources of inaccuracy in P&M valuation in Nigeria.


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