scholarly journals Exploring the work and competence of interactive researchers

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1539-1559
Author(s):  
Peter E. Johansson ◽  
Andreas Wallo
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Shared Practice ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the competence in use when working with interactive research, which is a continuation and elaboration of action research. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was adopted for the study. The main body of empirical material in this paper is based on two sources of data – a survey comprising open-ended questions, followed by a series of focus group interviews. The respondents were researchers with varying degrees of experience in using interactive research. Findings The findings provide illustrations of what characterises interactive research as work and identify an additional set of activities that go beyond traditional research activities. Some activities are relatively easy to describe, while others exist in the gaps between other activities – e.g. boundary spanning – and are harder to explicitly define in terms of implications for the involved researchers’ competence. The work activities reaching beyond the traditional research boundaries are implicit and are not a common shared practice. From a competence point of view, this implies that the competence in use for these implicit tasks of interactive research becomes individually carried. Based on these findings, a number of individual aspects of what constitutes competence in use are suggested. Research limitations/implications In future studies, it would be valuable to use a mixed-method approach that also includes longitudinal observations of the actual work of conducting interactive research. Practical implications The findings and suggestions for how to understand the competence of interactive researchers can be used as guidance for training in research education. Originality/value This study contributes to previous research by describing important requirements and critical elements of competence in use when conducting interactive research.

Corruption and control from the perspective of Islam

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-368
Author(s):  
Waled Younes E. Alazzabi ◽  
Hasri Mustafa ◽  
Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Situational Factor ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and provide insights into corruption and the control procedures from an Islamic perspective. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts qualitative research approach using the holy Quran as a primary source and hadith of the Prophet Mohammed supported by the anecdotes of his companions as a secondary source and prior literature. Findings This paper offers an Islamic taxonomy of corruption that contains economic, managerial, financial, political, environmental, social and ethical corruption which is explicitly prohibited because of their consequence on societies. Islam establishes proactive, preventive, detecting and reactive procedures to control corruption and prescribes how to avoid its harmful consequences. The paper also reveals significant concepts in relation to individuals’ qualities that if taken care of, better chances to reduce corruption and better living conditions can be accomplished. Research limitations/implications The paper recommends means to the business community through providing managerial and practical procedures which can be used for limiting corruption effectively. However, this piece of work provides further explanations on corruption to improve our understanding on such a phenomenon and contributes to the literature from the perspective of Islam point of view. Originality/value The paper contributes to the debate on corruption, human, religion and control from an Islamic point of view, which is lacking. This paper finds evidence that loss of belief is a situational factor that leads to corrupt acts. Also, moral teaching in early ages is necessary for inner and self-control. Moral renovation is an influential factor that keeps individuals motivated and refrain from indulging into corrupt acts.

The importance of financial resources and ownership of intellectual property rights for university spin-offs: the cases of Finland and Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125-1147
Author(s):  
Ignat Kulkov ◽  
Björn Berggren ◽  
Kent Eriksson ◽  
Magnus Hellström ◽  
Kim Wikstrom
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Countries ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Validation Stage

PurposeThis paper focuses on medical device university spin-offs (USOs), taking into account the peculiarities of financial and nonfinancial support and intellectual property rights (IPRs). The authors declare that these parameters play a significant role in business development at the early stages.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical data consist of individual and group interviews in Finland and Sweden, which are later inductively analyzed.FindingsThe results show that public financial support contributes to the formation and start of sales stages in small countries and local markets. However, at the validation stage, approaches for supporting entrepreneurship in the field of medical devices may differ. The ownership of IPRs assists in the development of entrepreneurship in the region due to the transfer of research results and researchers to the industry and increases the number of spin-offs and the cooperation of universities with business.Originality/valueThis contribution is in the identification of the key parameters for the formation, support and development of the USOs from the point of view of the availability of financial resources and the ownership of IPRs.

Shari’ah issues in Islamic banking: a qualitative survey in Malaysia

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelghani Echchabi ◽  
Hassanuddeen Abd. Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Customers Perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the customers’ perception regarding the current shari’ah issues of Islamic banks in Malaysia. Specifically, the study attempts to examine the awareness of the current criticisms of the main shari’ah issues in Islamic finance, and the perception of the selected customers towards these criticisms. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a qualitative approach to understand in detail the customers’ perception and experiences about shari’ah compliance of Islamic banks. Semi-structured interview is used with ten Islamic banks’ customers in Malaysia. The study also used phenomenological techniques to analyse the data. Findings – The findings revealed that the interviewees have considerable exposure and awareness of the current criticisms of the shari’ah compliance of Islamic banks. Originality/value – This research is the first to study the shari’ah issues of Islamic banks in Malaysia from the customers’ perspective, by using a qualitative research approach. The findings of this study are of original importance, because they unveil the customers’ experience in an area that has been severely looked at from the professional and experts’ point of view only.

Flourishing in adaptive community: balancing structures and flexibilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabre Cherkowski ◽  
Kelly Hanson ◽  
Keith Walker
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
System Level ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Organizational Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Research Activities

Purpose This paper documents findings from a qualitative research project on flourishing in schools using a positive organizational research approach. The purpose of this paper is to uncover and bring to description educators’ experiences of the conditions, forces and influencing factors for flourishing in their context. The main objectives were to inform research and practice in school improvement from a positive perspective, provide knowledge and practice about noticing and growing well-being for educators and to encourage an attention on individual and collective well-being as an organizational imperative. Design/methodology/approach To gain a rich description of what it means for educators to feel a sense of flourishing in their work, the researchers used qualitative, case study methods and appreciative research activities. For the case study reported on in this paper, data were collected through open-ended, appreciative, focus group conversations and researcher observations in the participants’ classrooms. Conversations were recorded and transcribed. The researchers analyzed the transcripts using an iterative process of coding, categorizing and abstracting data. Findings Participants grew their adaptive communities through balancing structures (collaboration, purpose, administrator support) with flexibilities (synergy, creativity, tinkering, friendships) for adaptation and co-creation. Well-being was connected with feeling collegial support, care, shared meaning and engagement and where positive relationships were central in their work. These relational conditions seemed to contribute to building a social container that promoted flourishing. This led to innovation as teachers worked together in ways that promoted their learning and growth as a group, and increased their sense of vitality in their work. The researchers found that the principal plays a vital role in fostering, encouraging and sustaining conditions for teachers to cultivate adaptive community. Research limitations/implications While small in scale and not generalizable across contexts, this research offers particular examples of what is working well for these teachers. Insights from these examples are intended to be generative, potentially resonating with and inspiring others to examine the possible benefits and potentials that may come from a positive approach to research and practice in school improvement in their own contexts. Engaging in positive organizational research in schools led to new insights on the work of teaching, learning and leading in schools. The researchers suggest that this positive, appreciative and generative perspective offers potentials and benefits for new understandings on school improvement. Practical implications The findings from this case study indicate that more attention is needed to supporting educators to cultivate the conditions necessary to experience rich and meaningful relationships within which they will thrive, grow and innovate in their teaching. At a system level, the authors argue for a re-orientation of schools toward well-being and a more holistic and human-development perspective on schooling. Social implications Currently and internationally, schooling is under re-design as the authors learn more about the need to organize the schools in ways that encourage the kinds of teaching and learning necessary to prepare young people for an increasingly unpredictable future. The findings from this study highlight the importance of attending to teacher well-being as a fundamental aspect of encouraging the kind of teaching needed for the kinds of learning desired in schools across all contexts. Originality/value This case study provides the findings that illustrate the potential and benefits of research on school organizations from a positive organizational perspective. Additionally, this study is a reminder of the systemic nature of all living systems, such as schools, and the associated need to ensure well-being for all members of the learning community.

Multi-brand loyalty: when one brand is not enough

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 464-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reto Felix
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Tradition ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to provide a deeper, constructivist account of multi-brand loyalty. Previous literature has acknowledged the existence of multi-brand loyalty, but described it from a narrow, rational and primarily utilitarian point of view. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on open-ended, depth interviews. Data were labeled, coded and classified into different topics, and thematic analysis was used to identify three dominant themes. Findings – Multi-brand loyalty emerged in three forms: biased, specialized and perfect substitutes. These relationships may undergo dynamic transformations over time. Further, family tradition and perceived freedom were identified as two important motivations for consumers to be loyal to more than one brand. The managerial implications address suggestions on how companies can avoid that consumers become loyal to several brands instead of maintaining single-brand loyalty. Originality/value – The study is the first to address multi-brand loyalty based on a qualitative research approach and provides preliminary insights into occurrences and motivations related to the construct.

Knowledge transferring and small and medium enterprise’s (SME's) effectiveness: emerging insights and future directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1747-1774
Author(s):  
Roberto Biloslavo ◽  
Rosa Lombardi
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Organisational Factors ◽  
Why Questions

PurposeThis paper aims to define knowledge transfer and small and medium enterprise’s (SME's) effectiveness. This research framework examines how employees understand, create and apply knowledge in a day-to-day working context, and how knowledge and other organisational factors influence knowledge transfer within the organisation.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was applied. The authors conducted semi-structured group interviews with the members of three departments of a small hi-tech company. All collected data were manually coded, using in vivo coding and discussed among the authors. As the continuation of the semi-structured group interview, the technique of cognitive maps was applied.FindingsAccording to the results, the critical elements of knowledge transfer within small hi-tech companies seem (1) available slack time, (2) reciprocity and level of trust among employees, (3) social capital of employees and (4) practically oriented technical knowledge. It is also noted that the knowledge transfer is carried out to solve the problems identified by the employees, and these seek knowledge directly from the knowledge bearers who represent a kind of organisational memory.Practical implicationsKnowledge transfer in SMEs occurs almost exclusively face-by-face, and individuals involved pay attention to the time required by this process. The co-creation of an organisational space that allows and supports an open discussion within and between departments is therefore of fundamental importance in order not to preclude organisational learning. In addition, non-financial incentives must be established to help transfer tacit knowledge. This allows to overcome the difficulty of employees in recognising the organisational knowledge base that they see above all in themselves.Originality/valueThis paper throws additional light on understanding how knowledge transfer happens within small hi-tech companies. The applied qualitative research methods allow a better understanding of the “how” and “why” questions associated with the social processes surrounding knowledge transfer.

Empirical assessment of the future adequacy of value stream mapping in manufacturing industries

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 886-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Lugert ◽  
Aglaya Batz ◽  
Herwig Winkler
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Value Stream Mapping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Value Stream ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Value stream mapping (VSM) is very common in the manufacturing industry to enhance transparency and support improvements within the production process. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current status of the method from the user’s point of view and addresses its future sustainability in the context of the ongoing digitalization. Design/methodology/approach An empirical survey with 170 participants from different branches was conducted. The web-based questionnaire covers the topics Lean Management, respectively, VSM, Industry 4.0, the integration of both approaches as well as a possible need for action to modify the VSM. Results are analyzed in a quantitative way. Findings Benefits and shortcomings of VSM are already confirmed by previous publications. The serious challenge is the lack of flexibility of the method. In general users appreciate a combination of Lean methods and solutions of Industry 4.0. Moreover 92 percent of the participating experts request further development of the VSM using digitalization to compensate weaknesses. Research limitations/implications The findings are based only on Lean expert’s opinion. Over 95 percent of the participants are from Europe however most of them are from Germany. Although the results are adequate an international expansion of the survey would be advisable in order to distinguish local differences and similarities. In future work researchers need to further develop VSM to overcome the identified gaps. Practical implications Results of the study indicate the viewpoint of experts within different branches. This enables users to undertake a self-assessment regarding their own VSM-estimation. Originality/value This paper provides a current evaluation of the VSM from an exploratory perspective. The impact of global trends and new opportunities facilitated by digitalization are considered. Shortcomings and fields of actions become clear. Based on that necessity further research activities can be designed.

Open access practices: roadmap to research paper publications in academic institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
Rexwhite Tega Enakrire ◽  
Joseph M. Ngoaketsi
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Research Activities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate open access practices (OAPs): a roadmap to research paper publications in academic institutions. The rationale that necessitates this scenario was the dwindling nature of the inability of researchers and lecturers/academics in African academic institutions to access related materials in their subject areas, while also advancing effort to publish their research papers in open access. Design/methodology/approach This paper applied a qualitative research approach, in which literature was harvested from Web of Science for developing and writing the research paper. Findings This paper establishes that OAP, when embraced, could advance and transform research paper publication in higher education institutions because its practices are globally welcome. The authors reiterate that considering the benefits accrued to OAPs, knowledge gap in terms of literature and methodological approach still exists in academic institutions in Africa; hence, the authors promote OAPs as a roadmap for research paper publications in academic institutions. It is expected that by OAPs, researchers would no longer struggle to harvest literature, of theses, dissertations and other research papers, deposited in institutional repositories required for deepening their research activities because those literature studies or those documents have to be paid for through subscription fees of published papers and publishing in open access by journals. This is what most academics have experienced because, most times, the literature which academics harvest from the internet and different institutional repositories and databases is already paid for by the different institutions that housed the literature where it is domiciled. For instance, most academic library institutions in the world pay for subscription fees of research papers and documents. This is to advance and facilitate deepened research activities in their institutions, when researchers, academics and students want to harvest materials through their university library websites. Originality/value This paper, which considers OAP as a roadmap to research paper publications in academic institutions in Africa, is insightful and unique considering the wave of OAP globally.

The systems approach to the improvement of innovation in Slovenian tourism

Kybernetes ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 427-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Ropret ◽  
Tadeja Jere Jakulin ◽  
Borut Likar
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Development Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Research Activities

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse whether and how the Development Plan and Policies of Slovenian Tourism (SiPlan) could be improved systematically and systemically, enabling more comprehensive management of innovation. Design/methodology/approach – The data were obtained within a comprehensive national innovation study. Data analysis was performed in four phases. In the initial phase, a link between the innovation project and SiPlan was established. In the next phase, which of the innovation factors are significantly correlated with the tourism destination development concept was identified. In the third phase, further policy potential for improving the innovation factors was identified. In the last phase, a systems approach was applied to develop a qualitative systems model, a causal loop diagram, taking into consideration the empirically identified strengths and weaknesses of the current SiPlan and other pertinent factors. Findings – The results of empirical research indicate that SiPlan represents a valuable, but not optimum development model of Slovene tourism development. Therefore, the authors propose a qualitative tourism development model based on the research results and a systems dynamics methodology. Originality/value – The work is important from the scientific point of view, i.e. as a methodology and research results that could be applied in further research activities. In addition, the results could be usefully used by policy makers by way of focusing on the most influential factors: policies that have a potential for the systems (holistic) and socially responsible development of tourism in Slovenia.

scholarly journals Being bisexual in contemporary Italy: between stigma and desire of visibility

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Monaco
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Identity Category ◽  
Probabilistic Sample ◽  
Bisexual People

PurposeThe Italian sociological scientific community has shown a limited interest in issues related to bisexuality. The purpose of this paper is to fill the knowledge gap on the subject, showing data of an empirical research conducted online on the Italian bisexual community.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on a mixed methods online survey on Italian bisexual people, which included 218 interviews. The questionnaire was made up of closed and open-ended questions, to investigate their behaviours, habits and lifestyles.FindingsSocial pressure and lack of understanding by others sometimes make difficult for bisexual people to show themselves openly for what they are, especially in some contexts, such as the word of work. From a sociological point of view, one can argue that one of the tools when bisexual people face the stigma related to bisexuality is to control, often in an obsessive way, the information they provide about themselves, carefully evaluating the contexts in which they can free themselves and the time when they must expose themselves in line with the expectations of the heteronormative society.Research limitations/implicationsThe non-probabilistic sample limits the external validity of the findings. There are also critical elements that characterise social research when transposed online: first, the profiles of the respondents not always are verifiable; second, the digital divide excludes some groups that cannot access the web or involves an over-representation of those who are more familiar with technologies.Originality/valueThe work presented is the first Italian sociological study aimed at deepening the “invisible B” phenomenon of the LGBT acronym in a systematic way. Nowadays bisexuality remains under-researched in social sciences and overall in sociology. Putting “bisexuality” at the centre of the sociological attention appears important to provide serious and scientifically valid data and information useful both to develop the knowledge on this identity category and to contain forms of discrimination and prejudice.

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